NFL legend Brett Favre is opening up about the last conversation he had with Toby Keith just days before he passed away. As TMZ reported, Favre and Keith have been great friends for years.
“I think in the end he was just tired,” Favre told TMZ, revealing that Keith had made the decision to stop receiving chemotherapy in the months leading up to his death. “He did say that to me when we had our conversation, he said, ‘Brett… whatever happens, I’m okay with it.'”
As Favre continued, the former quarterback revealed that he and Keith talked almost every three month. “He said, ‘I quit chemo and it probably did more damage to me than the cancer did.’ And he said, ‘I just hope I didn’t quit it too late, but… I’m thankful I got a chance to play some shows. I finished them.’”
Favre then praised Keith for how he handled the last two and a half years. “[Keith] handled it with grace and faith and family and stood up to the cancer as good as you can.”
It’s that faith that Toby Keith talked about in one of his final interview with News 9. Take a listen:
“I can just remember him smiling, and had everyone hooting and hollering and having a lot of fun,” Favre said of their many golf outings. “He was the best.”
Just one day before Toby Keith’s family announced his passing at 62 years, he shared a video of himself on Instagram.
It remains unclear when exactly the video was taken, but it shows Keith doing what he loved the most, performing his music in front of thousands of his fans. The video and the time it was posted struck a chord with his followers.
“The people watching this had no idea how lucky they were to be there,” one commenter wrote, knowing that was one of the last times Keith will grace the stage. “Last show, a warrior to the end… the Cowboy rides his Stallion into the burning sunset…RIP Legend,” another added.
“Rode off into the sunset like a true cowboy. We love you Toby RIP.”
Keith is survived by his wife of 40 years Tricia and their three children, Krystal, Stelen, and Shelley.
Toby Keith Shares Major Cancer Update Six Months After Heartbreaking Diagnosis
Six months after revealing he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and taking some time away from the country music stage to focus on his health, county music legend Toby Keith shared an update about how his battle against cancer is going.
You heard it here first! @tobykeith has plans to get back on the road after battling cancer ???? More details on his road to recovery this weekend only on #cmtHot20! pic.twitter.com/3p3Rs5a1XM
— CMT Hot 20 Countdown (@cmtHot20) November 19, 2022
While talking with the CMT Hot 20 Countdown, Keith revealed he is still fighting although the road to being cancer-free has been one with a lot of difficult challenges. But despite the hardships he has recently faced, Keith hopes to be back on the road and on the stage soon.
“I’m thinking about getting back in fighting shape. I need a little bit of time to just rest up and heal up,” Keith told the radio show. “It’s pretty debilitating to have to go through all that, but as long as everything stays hunky-dory, then we’ll look at something good in the future.”
Keith surprised fans back in November when he was honored at the BMI Country Awards in Nashville with a 12-minute acceptance speech and a performance. It seems that while Keith may not be ready just yet to get back on the road, he is well on his way.
As Mamas Uncut reported several months ago, Keith made some updates to his summer schedule after initially telling the world about his cancer diagnosis. “I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery.”
As Keith continued, he added that things are progressing well as his battle continues. “So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”
Keith is specifically dealing with stomach cancer as he wrote in the statement. And as he continues to fight and recover from his treatments, the singer said he will be doing so with his family by his side.
While his news came as a shock to many of his fans, he said he hopes to return to the state soon. “I am looking forward to spending time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
In an update to his summer schedule, CMT reports that Keith has canceled many of his shows over the next several weeks. Keith’s website revealed that he was scheduled to perform at Ribfest in Illinois on June 17, however, he has since canceled that performance.
CMT further reports that “more than a dozen tour dates listed on his website” have also been removed. It’s believed that Keith will not take the stage for the rest of 2022.
Several big-name acquaintances of Keith’s took to Instagram to wish him a speedy recovery. From Troy Aikman to Jason Aldean, many people said they were praying for the singer.
“Damn bro,” Jason Aldean wrote. “Hate ur dealing with that, but if anybody can kick Cancer’s a**, it’s you. Prayin’ for ya big man.”
“Prayers for complete healing,” Matt Rogers wrote. “Rest up and relax. We will see you soon.”
RELATED: Toby Keith Makes Heartbreaking Announcement But Remains Hopeful for a Return
Several days after his first announcement, Toby Keith took to his Instagram again to share a quick note of thanks. “Thank you for all your love and support. I have the best fans in the world.”
The 60-year-old and his wife, Tricia Lucus, have been married for 38 years. The couple shares three children together.