Brett Favre revealed Toby Keith expressed his fatigue and acceptance shortly before passing away at 62
“He indeed shared those words with me during our talk… ‘Brett… I’m at peace with whatever comes,'” Favre recounted. Favre observed the forewarning signs regarding Toby Keith’s health before his demise.
In a discussion with TMZ Sports, the former NFL star, aged 54, disclosed his conversation with the beloved country musician, a close friend, just days before Keith succumbed to stomach cancer on Monday.
“Towards the end, he seemed exhausted,” Favre remarked to the media. In their conversation, Keith confided, ‘Brett… I’m at peace with whatever happens.’
Favre, who made it a point to call Keith every quarter to see how he was, had hoped Keith had turned a health corner despite his frail look during his December performances in Las Vegas. Yet, Keith’s update wasn’t promising. “He mentioned, ‘I stopped chemo, and it likely harmed me more than the cancer,’” Favre recounted from their conversation. Keith also expressed his gratitude for being able to perform, “I just hope it wasn’t too late to stop, but… I’m grateful for the shows I managed to complete.”
Brett Favre and Toby Keith at the American Family Insurance Championship on June 22, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. Steve Dykes/Getty Images
Favre praised Keith’s courage and positivity throughout his battle with stomach cancer, diagnosed in fall 2021. Despite losing over 130 lbs, Keith “faced it with dignity, faith, family, and stood strong against the cancer,” he said.
Favre also mentioned their shared love for golf with TMZ, recalling Keith’s cheerful nature rather than his performance. “His smile and the joy he brought to everyone stand out to me,” Favre reminisced.
Describing Keith as “fun” and “an entertainer” to the very end, Favre added, “He was unparalleled.” Keith’s family announced his peaceful passing on Monday night, two years post his stomach cancer diagnosis, via a social media statement.
Toby Keith performs on stage during the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards held at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sept. 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty Images
“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on Feb. 5, surrounded by his loved ones,” the statement declared. “He approached his battle with dignity and bravery. We ask for privacy for his family at this moment.”
Tributes poured in from friends like Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire. Shelton tweeted, celebrating Keith as “the most resilient man I’ve known.”
He continued, “Grateful for your friendship, heroism, and influence. Toby Keith is irreplaceable.”
McEntire expressed her grief, noting Keith’s missed presence both personally and professionally, and from their shared home state of Oklahoma.
“He’s free from the fight and pain now,” she reflected. “I look forward to the day we meet again in Heaven. Thankfully, his incredible music remains with us, even though he’s no longer physically present.”
