Brett Favre Announces Retirement on Tuesday

March 5, 2008

(Long Island, N.Y.) Legendary Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre announced Tuesday his retirement from the NFL to end an illustrious career for one of the game’s most dominating presences which included two Super Bowl appearances and a 3-time AP MVP trophy.

“I know I can still play, but it’s like I told my wife, I’m just tired mentally. I’m just tired; if I felt like coming back — and Deanna [his wife] and I talked about this — the only way for me to be successful would be to win a Super Bowl. To go to the Super Bowl and lose, would almost be worse than anything else. Anything less than a Super Bowl win would be unsuccessful,” Favre said in a message.

Brett Lorenzo Favre from Gulfport, Mississippi was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons after four glorious years as the starting QB for the University of Southern Mississippi. After his uneventful rookie campaign with the Falcons, Favre was traded to the Green Bay Packers on February 10th, 1992 for the rights to the team’s first round pick that year. On his fifth game with the Packers in the ’92 season, Favre was upgraded as the starting quarterback, a position he held for 16 years until his announcement Tuesday.

“I know it shouldn’t feel unsuccessful, but the only way to come back and make that be the right decision would be to come back and win a Super Bowl. And honestly, the odds of that, they’re tough. Those are big shoes for me to fill, and I guess it was a challenge I wasn’t up for.” added Favre.

Favre’s career was defined with his gritty play. For over 17 years he gave joy to his fans and game enthusiast by displaying not just his talent but his determination and his drive to succeed. Countless times he willed his team to victory using his heart and emotions. He won a Super Bowl ring against New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI and reached his second Super Bowl the following year opposite the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII which Favre and the Packers absorbed an emotional loss.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, “Brett Favre will always be remembered as one of the greatest players and fiercest competitors in NFL history. His long list of accomplishments both on and off the field is remarkable. Brett’s talent, enthusiasm and love of the game helped him become the only player to earn three MVP awards and he was a vital part of bringing a Super Bowl championship back to Green Bay. It has been a joy and privilege for all of us to watch him play. We wish Brett, Deanna and their family all the best and hope he will stay connected to the game that he honored with his brilliant play for so many years.”

Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Sports