In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, three former Green Bay Packers legends have announced they will reject future Hall of Fame nominations in protest over the continued snubbing of Mike Holmgren. The three players — Brett Favre, LeRoy Butler, and Ahman Green — are publicly standing behind their former head coach, expressing their frustration over Holmgren’s repeated exclusion from the Hall of Fame, despite his monumental contributions to the Packers’ success and legacy.

Holmgren, who led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory in 1996 and played a pivotal role in the team’s dominance during the 1990s, was notably left out of the Hall of Fame’s final vote in 2025. Despite being a key architect of Green Bay’s turnaround in the 1990s, Holmgren’s omission has sparked outrage among former players, particularly when viewed alongside the selection of Bill Belichick, who has been consistently nominated in recent years.

For Packers fans and players, Holmgren’s absence from the Hall of Fame is seen as a glaring injustice. Under Holmgren’s leadership, the Packers not only won the Super Bowl, but they also became a perennial powerhouse in the NFC, setting the foundation for the team’s continued success. Yet, the Hall of Fame voters have continually overlooked his contribution, a decision that has been especially frustrating given the team’s success during his tenure.

Brett Favre, the legendary quarterback who played under Holmgren for years, has been vocal in his disappointment. Although Favre is already a Hall of Famer himself, sources close to the former quarterback say he feels a deep sense of loyalty to his former coach, and is now using his platform to protest Holmgren’s continued exclusion.

LeRoy Butler, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022 and is one of the key figures in the Packers’ defense during Holmgren’s era, has also joined in this protest. Butler, along with Favre, has made it clear that their decision to reject the ballot is a direct response to the Hall of Fame’s failure to honor Holmgren, a man who was integral to the Packers’ success both on the field and in terms of leadership.

Ahman Green, the Packers’ all-time leading rusher, has also joined the protest. Green, who flourished under Holmgren’s coaching, believes that without Holmgren’s vision and leadership, the team’s historic achievements would not have been possible.

According to sources, the snubbing of Holmgren is especially painful given the fact that the subcommittee for coaches can only nominate one individual per year, and with Belichick dominating the conversation in recent seasons, Holmgren’s chances of induction have become even slimmer.

Holmgren’s exclusion speaks to a wider issue within the Hall of Fame process, which many players believe is overly selective and fails to recognize long-term impact and leadership. Favre, Butler, and Green’s rejection of the Hall of Fame ballot isn’t just about protesting a personal snub; it’s a stand for the respect and recognition that Holmgren deserves for his role in shaping one of the most successful eras in Packers history.

This protest has ignited a conversation about the Hall of Fame’s voting process, with many calling for a reevaluation of how legacy and impact are weighed. For these three Packers legends, the message is clear: Holmgren’s place in the Hall of Fame isn’t just a matter of personal achievement — it’s about honoring the man who brought Green Bay back to prominence and set the stage for the team’s continued success.

In the end, it’s not just about bronze busts or gold jackets for Favre, Butler, and Green. It’s about ensuring that Mike Holmgren’s contributions are finally recognized, and that the legacy he helped build in Green Bay is forever enshrined in Canton. For these players, Holmgren’s recognition is a matter of loyalty, respect, and honoring the history that helped shape the Packers into the iconic franchise they are today.