Brett Favre retires after 17 NFL seasons

Quarterback Brett Favre has informed the Green Bay Packers that he will retire after 17 years in the National Football League.

Favre's retirement first broke on Tuesday by FOX Sports, which reported that the Hall of Fame-bound pivot told the team of his decision within the last few days.

Favre told ESPN's Chris Mortensen in a voice mail message that it was time to move on.

"I know I can still play, but it's like I told my wife, I'm just tired mentally. I'm just tired," said Favre.

"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 the message.

After enduring his worst professional season two years ago, Favre rediscovered his game in 2007.

The Mississippi native broke several career records, including Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino's mark for touchdown passes and passing yards.

Favre also led the Packers to a 13-3 record before the team bowed out to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFC title game.

No pushing required

"He has had one of the greatest careers in the history of the National Football League, and he is able to walk away from the game on his own terms — not many players are able to do that," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said Tuesday.

Favre's agent, Bus Cook, said the 38-year-old quarterback told him Monday night he wouldn't be returning for an 18th season.

"Nobody pushed Brett Favre out the door, but then nobody encouraged him not to go out that door, either," Cook said by phone from his Hattiesburg, Miss., office.

Favre won a record three straight NFL MVP Awards, and earned a reputation as one of the toughest football players the NFL has ever seen.

Surrounded by an unheralded group of receivers and underrated offensive line, Favre took the league by storm this past season by posting a career-best 66.5 completion percentage. He also threw for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 15 interceptions.

For his effort, Favre was named to his ninth Pro Bowl.

It was a remarkable comeback for the quarterback legend, who threw a career-worst 29 interceptions in 2005 during former head coach Mike Sherman's final season as the Packers finished a dismal 4-12.

Favre's resurgence led to speculation that he would return next season. He indicated as much before Green Bay's Jan. 12 divisional playoff win against the Seattle Seahawks, telling his hometown paper that he was optimistic about returning.

"For the first time in three years, I haven't thought this could be my last game," Favre told the Biloxi [Miss.] Sun Herald. "I would like to continue longer."

Favre's predicted return foiled 

When the Packers fell 23-20 to the Giants in the NFC title game, Favre was noncommittal about his future, but receiver Donald Driver was confident he would see his quarterback again on the football field.

"I think he's going to come back," Packers receiver Donald Driver said in early January. "I wouldn't be surprised if he comes back. He's having a great year, so it'd be great to see him come back if he decides to."

In a career that will likely see him enter the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in his first year of eligibility, Favre, originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, led the Packers back to the top of the NFL mountain.

He guided Green Bay to a pair of Super Bowls in 1996 and 1997, winning the big game in his first attempt against the New England Patriots.

Favre retires with 5,377 career completions in 8,758 attempts for 61,655 yards, 442 touchodowns and 288 interceptions.

Football's ironman also finishes his career by keeping intact his streak of 253 consecutive regular-season starts — 275 including playoff games.