NFL

OAKLAND SITE OF FAVRE’S ODE TO DAD

When Brett Favre walks through the tunnel Sunday and makes his way past the crazies residing in the Black Hole at Oakland-Alameda County Stadium, a sea of emotions are certain to flood his mind.

Favre’s attention will be on leading his 3-2 Jets to victory over the 1-4 Raiders, but he, too, will recall one of the most powerful, emotional and memorable days of his life.

PHOTOS: Next Up: Raiders

PLAY POST PICK ‘EM

The date was Dec. 22, 2003, and Favre’s Packers needed to beat the Raiders to stay alive in the playoff race. The game was played under the bright “Monday Night Football” lights, and the Black Hole rowdies were poised to taste the blood of another rattled opponent.

This night was different for those in the Black Hole, though. Instead of being their typical belligerent selves, the occupants saluted Favre in the classiest of ways.

Favre’s father, Irvin, had died suddenly of an apparent heart attack at 58 the day before. Favre, fresh off a round of golf with some friends, found out Sunday and wrestled with his emotions, knowing his father would want him to play but wondering if he could handle it all without hurting the team, which desperately needed the win.

“One of the things I remember about that game in particular was Oakland fans are not the politest fans in the NFL, but I remember getting a standing ovation when I was introduced,” Favre said yesterday.

Favre, who was urged on by family and friends to play the game, completed 22 of 30 passes for 399 yards and four TDs in a 44-7 Packers win that night. In the first half alone, he threw for 311 yards and all four TDs.

“Didn’t know if I would play,” Favre said. “Ended up playing. Had a half probably better than any full game I ever played in. It was a special game. It carried a lot of weight, obviously.”

Favre’s wife, Deanna, flew out overnight and got to Oakland early Monday morning to be with him for the game before they would then head to Mississippi via Green Bay for the funeral.

“I knew my dad would want me to play,” Favre said. “It was a question of if I could play and help the team win. The shock of it … I mean, when I went out for pregame I’d forgotten everything I’d studied all week. I couldn’t tell you what coverage they were going to play, what checks we had.

“In pregame warm-ups, just throwing 10-yard passes with [backup QB] Doug [Pederson], I was all over the place. If I can’t throw to Doug in pregame warm-ups, what makes me think I could complete a 30-yard crossing route?

“I said, ‘Well, once they start chasing me, once the bullets start flying, I’ll be fine.’ But it was more than fine.”

Indeed, it was.

“I can’t say anyone has played better against us,” former Raiders veteran WR Tim Brown told reporters that night.

“I’ve never seen a first half like that,” Favre said after the game. “I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play. I love him so much and I love this game.”

Favre was asked if he expects memories of his father and that fateful Monday night to fill his thoughts.

“Maybe going out onto that field at the start of the game will bring back some memories, but it’s been a long time and a lot of games (that have passed since). Obviously, I’m with a different team, but in some ways the circumstances are the same. We need to win this game.”

*

Favre yesterday fielded his first question about whether he’ll return next season. “I haven’t thought about next year, honestly,” Favre said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the end. The only thing I can control is this week and the type of leadership they brought me here to show. I think I’m doing a good job of that. . . . Jets S Eric Smith, activated after serving a one-game suspension, returned to practice and likely will start Sunday despite the fact that Abram Elam played well against the Bengals. Eric Mangini has hinted that both might play in a platoon-type arrangement.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com