For the second time in about a year, Brett Favre says he's retiring. He did it last offseason in Green Bay before eventually returning and getting traded to the Jets. After one up and down season in New York, Favre says he's going to call it quits for a second time, this time without the tearful press conference that followed his first announcement in Green Bay.
ESPN.com first reported this morning that Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told the Jets of Favre's decision this morning.
In an e-mail to ESPN's Ed Werder, Favre indicated that he had no regrets about leaving the game with the Jets rather than with his old team, the Green Bay Packers.
What's still out there is what happened in Green Bay. A retirement announcement, followed by a time of indecision and then the desire to return. Will it happen again? Favre's agent, Bus Cook says no, he's retired.
Favre bordered resentment to Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson. Favre told Ed Werder that he felt Thompson took his team from him, believing it had become personal and described the Packers as dishonest. Favre told Werder that the most accomplished quarterback in history had been exiled to the Jets precisely because it was something of a football purgatory, where no championships had been won in the four decades since Joe Namath.
Favre told Werder, "So was I coming back to play because I loved the game or to prove them (Packers) wrong? Probably a little bit of both."
"Maybe initially I came back for the wrong reasons," Favre says now. "it was like, 'OK, they don't want me to play, then I'll play somewhere else and show them I can still play."
Favre played 18 years in the NFL, one with Atlanta, 16 in Green Bay and the final year with the New York Jets. He's still clearly bitter towards the Packers for the way his time in Green Bay ended. Will time heal all wounds, or will Favre forever hold this resentment towards the Packers, especially with Ted Thompson in charge?
The Green Bay Packers haven't commented on Favre's retirement decision, or any of the pointed comments he made concerning the Packers organization.
Assuming Favre stays retired, he'll be eligible for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer. Will that entry come as a Packer? And in terms of playing, have we seen and heard the last from Bret Favre? Stay tuned!
Listen / Download – Brett Favre retirement #1 in GB :21
Listen / Download – Favre doesn't know what's next after GB retirement #1 :23
Listen / Download – Brett Favre said his GB retirement was on his terms. :11