It's like older times for Brett Favre

It takes quite a quarterback to hold a candle to Brett Favre.

And it takes quite a birthday cake to hold all of Favre's candles.

The Minnesota Vikings star turned 40 on Saturday, which means today he will become the 17th quarterback in the NFL's modern era to play after reaching that chronological milestone.

Asked last week what he had planned for his birthday, Favre said, "Travel to St. Louis." That stands to reason, seeing as the Rams play host to the Vikings today.

That's roughly the way he's spend most of his adult birthdays, traveling somewhere to play someone.

"For the last 19 years, all the holidays, including my birthday, I'm either playing or getting ready to play," he said. "No different this week, unless Brad [Childress] is going to throw me a big party. I think it deserves something. I really do. I just want to throw that out there: 40."

Now, he's part of a great -- and gray -- fraternity.

Quarterbacks who have played in the NFL at age 40 or older:

George Blanda, Oakland 1975: Hall of Famer was the Raiders' kicker and backup quarterback from age 40 to 48.

Zeke Bratkowski, Green Bay 1971: Started the '71 opener at 40 before being replaced by Scott Hunter.

Charlie Conerly, NY Giants 1961: Replaced at 40 by Y.A. Tittle. Conerly played in 13 games and led the Giants to a championship game.

Len Dawson, Kansas City 1975: Dawson started five games for the Chiefs after turning 40, and was 1-4.

Steve DeBerg, Atlanta 1998: Although he retired from Tampa Bay at 39, he returned five years later to back up Falcons' Chris Chandler for a season.

Vince Evans, Oakland 1995: Former USC standout who spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders. At 40, started three games for relocated Oakland Raiders.

Joe Ferguson, Indianapolis 1990: Longtime Buffalo quarterback bounced around after 12 seasons with the Bills and finished with one appearance for the Colts.

Doug Flutie, New England 2005: Started 10 games in his 40s for San Diego and finished with a season for the Patriots at 43.

Jim Hart, Washington 1984: Played for St. Louis for 18 seasons, making four Pro Bowls, before finishing with one season for the Redskins as backup to Joe Theismann.

Dave Krieg, Tennessee 1998: Always remembered as a Seattle fixture, Krieg had brief stints with the Chiefs, Lions, Cardinals, Bears and Titans before retiring after turning 40.