Call it a case of mutual admiration.

Brett Favre, former University of Southern Mississippi and National Football League great, paid a visit Tuesday afternoon to more than 500 soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center.

Favre, who retired this fall after a 20-year career with four different NFL franchises, offered his audience the same respect and admiration that its showed him during the hour-long visit.

"I'm honored to be here," Favre said outside the Dalton Theater, where five units of Task Force 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery stood in ranks. "I've had the opportunity to be part of some great things, but to be invited and asked to come speak to these guys, it's a special feeling.

"I want to make clear that I would never compare sports to what they do, because our end result is bragging rights, 'Hey, we beat you guys. Wait 'til we play you next year.' But it's a lot different for these guys."

But as Favre talked of teamwork, dedication to a goal, team chemistry and working as a unit, some of the lessons of his former profession indeed appeared applicable to those listening.

"It really was motivating," said Spc. Edward Hughes, holding a football that Favre had autographed. "He has a lot of experience with teamwork and team building and I really took it to heart. I know it's going to help as we go forward."

The Ohio battalion has been training at Camp Shelby before its eventual deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Favre's visit was arranged as a surprise motivational and morale booster shot.

"It was very comfortable," said Sgt 1st Class Douglas Boyer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-134th Field Artillery, who served as moderator for the event. "After the first question, he basically spoke about we needed to hear. He spoke about motivation. He spoke about teamwork. He was speaking to the soldiers using his experiences and that's what we were trying to get out of him."

Some of the issues were illuminating, as when Favre spoke of the need to be able to focus on the next task, regardless of whether the outcome of the one before had been good or bad.

"First and foremost, you have to be willing to take risks, and you've got to be able to overcome adversity, on and off the field," Favre said. "It's not always going to be good.

"One of the things when I talk to young quarterbacks I work with a local high school in my spare time - Oak Grove - is that after a great play, it's OK to be excited, but you have to go on to the next play. They're all aware that you have to go on to the next play after something bad happens, but you have to be able to do that after something good happens, too.

"If you dwell on what happens, whether it's good or bad, then the next play or the next event - which is the most important -will be overlooked."

Other topics were respectfully somber, as when Favre was asked if he knew Pat Tillman, a former standout safety with the Arizona Cardinals, who left the NFL to enlist in the military and was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan.

"I played against him, but I didn't really know him,' Favre said. "When we heard that he had joined the Army, I think most people were shocked, understandably so from our side of it.

"I mean, why you would give up that to do that? You don't have to, and I think - no, I know - that's why people admired his decision. It ended tragically, but to make that kind of commitment, I don't think there are words to put that in perspective, really."

There were also moments of levity, like when Favre was asked what he done during the offseason to prepare the next year.

"I'm almost embarrassed to say," Favre said. "Probably nothing compared to what these guys do. I just had a cheeseburger on my way over here from McDonald's. But, of course, I'm not playing."

Favre left the NFL with a slew of records, including playing in 321 consecutive games, throwing for more than 70,000 yards, three consecutive Most Valuable Player awards and the most touchdown passes and victories by a quarterback.

Boyer pointed out that he also held records for most interceptions, fumbles and sacks.

"I don't remember that," Favre deadpanned.

Favre said the visit was important to him.

"For what these guys and these ladies do, words can't really express our gratitude towards them," he said. "To be here and put a smile on their face ... If it seems so minor to be able to come in and say hello and maybe lift people up and offer your time, but it's a special thing to me. I'm more honored.

"We had a good time there. Couple laughs. Get serious a few times. It's like I told them, people ought to say thank you all the time for what they do, because it would be hard for me to do."

1st Sgt. Christopher Gibson said Favre's visit more than served its purpose,

I'm a huge Brett Favre fan" Gibson said. "Here's a guy, that his whole life, he's fought to be a pro, and we always talk to our soldiers about the benefits of being a pro, be a soldier, fight like a pro, because it will get you where you need to get. Get there and get back home safe

"He's just a good guy, a man's man."