Favre has decided to call it a career

[Taco]

Favre has decided to call it a career
By Jay Glazer
Jay Glazer is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com on MSN and also appears every week on FOX NFL Sunday as the network's NFL Insider.

Updated: March 4, 2008, 9:17 AM EST

The most storied quarterback career in NFL history is coming to a close.
FOXSports.com has learned that legendary quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire. In fact, it's believed he informed the Packers of his decision within the last few days, although it's unclear when Favre and the team will make his decision known.


Hanging them up

Brett Favre
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

G GS Comp Att Yds TD Int
257 253 5,377 8,758 61,655 442 288

So barring an unforeseen last-minute change of heart, Favre will leave the game after 17 years, during which he built himself into a household name and a figure synonymous with grit, toughness and perseverance.

Neither GM Ted Thompson nor head coach Mike McCarthy returned several calls left by FOXSports.com for confirmation.

After flirting with retirement for the last few years, Favre will finally go out on the heels of one of the best seasons of his career.

He led the Packers to the NFC Championship Game after passing for a stunning 4,155 yards, looking very much at times like a younger version of himself. In addition he threw 28 TDs — including an overtime Hail Mary pass to beat Denver in front of a national audience — and had a 95.7 quarterback rating. He was also voted into the Pro Bowl following the 2007 season but declined to go.

Favre leaves the game as the all-time record holder in several categories including wins, passing yards, touchdowns and consecutive games started. A three-time MVP, The southern swashbuckler won fans over with his carefree style that epitomized the "gunslinger" moniker and made fans out of everyone from the guy next door to those already enshrined in Canton.

If in fact, Favre does not have a change of heart, his final pass of a Hall of Fame Career was an interception by the Giants' Corey Webster, setting up New York's overtime win in the NFC le game.


For the last few years, the question of whether or not Favre was going to retire has been the most debated topic during the off-season. Two years ago he let his decision linger as reports both that he was returning and that he was retiring emerged. In fact, at one point he was supposedly going to announce his retirement at his charity golf tournament. Of course, those reports ultimately proved to be false.

Then after his final game of the 2006 season, a tearing and emotional Favre appeared on national TV and seemed to be bidding the game adieu. But once again, he had a change of heart and came back for what proved to be one heck of a final hurrah.

This time, Favre has made his decision and will likely make it publicly known soon. However, like in the past, Favre could wake up any day now and decide to change his mind, although that doesn't seem likely at this point.

The team will now shift to Aaron Rodgers, a former first-round pick, who has had few opportunities to play since being selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft. But when Favre was injured in a Thursday night game against Dallas this past season, Rodgers looked pretty good in relief. The former Cal star completed 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown — the first of his career — and nearly rallied the Packers to the win.



Read this article at:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7...ll-it-a-career click to print this page

© 2008 Fox Sports Interactive

[Spuradicator]

It was fun to watch him play the position! Well done Favre.

[degenerate_gambler]

I'm going to miss the out of watching him.

But props to him for calling it a career this way instead of hanging around too long and sucking like so many others before him.

[Sausage]

Damn, he was always one of my favorite QB's growing up. It's a shame that horrible pass in OT was the way he went out.

[Evan]

As a Cowboys fan I could not stand him but then I grew to have a massive amount of respect for him as time went on. The guy is all class and an amazing athlete. It’s a sad day.

Imagine if the Falcons had kept him and Deion!

[AFBlue]

Wow! I thought this drama would never end....but I give him major credit for going out "on top" of his game. I doubt he could've had a repeat to that personal success in future years and he got to collect some impressive personal accolades along the way.

Guess we'll see what Aaron Rodgers has now...

[degenerate_gambler]

Damn, he was always one of my favorite QB's growing up. It's a shame that horrible pass in OT was the way he went out.

meh, it won't mean a thing as the years roll on...

roger staubach's last 'pass' was a completion to an offensive lineman.

[sa_butta]

Sad to see him go, but it was time and the Packers should be ok with Aaron Rodgers filling in.

[Herschel Walker]

Perfect time to bow out.

[spursRgay]

As a Cowboy fan, glad to see him go so we don't have to worry about the Pack now...bring on Aaron Rodgers

[Warlord23]

Well at least he went out at the top of his game ... last season was quite the pleasant surprise, except for the NFC championship game

[Hank the Tank]

.....i cant believe it...

[ATRAIN]

As a Cowboy fan, glad to see him go so we don't have to worry about the Pack now...bring on Aaron Rodgers

hahah well as much as I think he is garbage, Rodgers did seem ok when he played for Farve this past season. Will he ever be as good I doubt it but you never know. Personally I hope the fails. I will forever hate that guy for what he said about UT playing in the Rose Bowl a few years back.

[Evan]

As a Cowboy fan, glad to see him go so we don't have to worry about the Pack now...bring on Aaron Rodgers

Careful what you ask for. He has something.

[stretch]

hahah well as much as I think he is garbage, Rodgers did seem ok when he played for Farve this past season. Will he ever be as good I doubt it but you never know. Personally I hope the fails. I will forever hate that guy for what he said about UT playing in the Rose Bowl a few years back.

What did he say?

[SpursFanFirst]

I didn't see that coming, when I logged on this morning!

It was time for him to step down, but it's still a shock to hear. I'm not a Packers fan, but I always enjoyed watching him play. He'll be missed on the field!

[SAtown]

Wow, this is kinda unexpected. I honestly thought he'd play for at least 2 more seasons. Take care Favre

[samikeyp]

Dude's a winner, plain and simple.

Enjoy some fishing Brett...you've earned it.

[ATRAIN]

What did he say?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1939401


I love it how he thinks they deserved to be in the Rose Bowl and then got spanked by Tech.

[J.T.]

PEYTON: ALL YOUR RECORDS ARE BELONG TO ME.

[J.T.]

Joking aside, Favre was a great QB and watching him have the season he had last year was amazing. It really is sad that after all that, he went out with an INT in overtime. The NFL just lost an amazing man. Congrats Brett, you had a great career.

[monosylab1k]

I guess there's no more lulz'ing about the Packers having a wide open check down man, wide open TE, wide open WR underneath, and Favre deciding to bomb it 50 yards to a triple-covered guy.

[monosylab1k]

Joking aside, Favre was a great QB and watching him have the season he had last year was amazing. It really is sad that after all that, he went out with an INT in overtime. The NFL just lost an amazing man. Congrats Brett, you had a great career.

[J.T.]

It's like ESPN had that "Favre Retires" NFL Live show taped and ready to go for 3 years, and was just waiting to pull it out of the vault.

[timvp]

I don't buy it.