Peter King Talks to Brett Favre, Thinks He Might Really Retire This Time

Text Size A A A

Brett Favre's season ended nearly a week ago, which means we're slowly working up to a mid-spring announcement about his future plans. If history is any guide, he'll probably schedule a press conference, shed a few tears as he proclaims his NFL career is over, and then reconsider a few months later after remembering that fishing everyday will bore you stupid.

For now, though, it sounds like Favre's done. Again. And you get the sense that Peter King was sobbing uncontrollably all over his latte-stained keyboard as he typed these words:

Speaking to Brett Favre Friday night from Mississippi, I got the distinct impression that he was going to retire from football, this time for good. But they don't sell insurance for this kind of thing, obviously, as his flip-flopping of the last three years shows.

King also writes that after Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum asked Favre "to give his decision [to return next season] some time," the 39-year-old quarterback responded, "I'll take some time, but it may be time to look in a different direction.'' And then there's this:

One other factor may come into play, but we should probably not read everything into it. Favre said team doctors recommended that if his intention was to play again that he should have arthroscopic surgery to repair his damaged right biceps. Favre declined.

Kerry Rhodes won't be very happy if Favre has to rehab a surgically repaired throwing arm this offseason. Although Thomas Jones would have no problems with it if it means fewer three-interception, playoff-killing performances.

I mentioned earlier this week that, unlike Green Bay, Favre doesn't have the luxury of unbridled support from New York fans and media, and if public opinion plays a role in his decision to comeback, well, I'm guessing he's as good as retired. For good this time.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-03-2009 @ 7:59PM

knidsrok said...

At least Favre waits until after (he's made damn sure) his team's season is over before waffling about retirement. How is it that Tony Dungy can start talking about how he's leaning toward retirement, and nobody in the media ever suggests that he's being a "distraction" or implying that his team's many, MANY disappointing performances in the playoffs have anything to do with the players not knowing if their coach's head is in the game or not?

1-03-2009 @ 8:10PM

ryan said...

Well, that's a fair point and one, frankly, I haven't even considered.

1-03-2009 @ 9:27PM

Smitty said...

Don't even compare Dungy, a class act, to Brett Favre. I'm tired of the drama, year after year (may I remind you) of him crying tears, making us think he's finally gone, and then changing his mind! I'm tired of him getting all the publicity, over all the other great stories throughout the NFL offseason. So don't even compare Dungy's 1st announcement of retirement to Favre's FOURTH annoucement!

1-03-2009 @ 9:38PM

Smitty: Dungy has openly discussed retiring towards the end of every year for the past few years. Please start following the NFL before choosing to have opinions on it.

heelfan236 said...

favre should have stayed retired

1-03-2009 @ 10:11PM

larry paulsen said...

favre is still the QB that can move the ball down the field...some of these nfl players that are getting on favre is immature...football is a rough game and the GB is the target when things go south....favre will find a new team...with some talent...and he will do the job...look around the league...favre is not the only GB sitting out the payoffs....so it's time to grow up for some of these nfl players and give honor where it is demanded....and favre is that QB....even at age 40...and his arm is still able.....emotionally it may be the trouble....sure hope he comes back....as a starter with a good team and not the jets

1-03-2009 @ 11:16PM

arty said...

to all honest not jealous football fans,
who in their right mind would call a football player such as
brett favre,anything but miraculous? im talking true respect,not
ridiculous wwf fans .i mean this guy doesnt respond to all this b.s.,comes to ny.has to learn a whole new offense in two weeks,and it must be said,he did a remarkable job of that.
he was offered more money to retire,stay home because
the traitors who defied his popularity knew he could come back and destroy them,also wouldnt let him play in the same division for the same reason.this guy loves the game.plays it,shows up,
every single day!!! and if he really wasnt still great why does he get a job,why does his old team disallow him from playing in the same division.people are so bored that they actually only have interceptions as a reason to hate him/ only a moron wouldnt realize that a ratio is a comparison,of games played,passes thrown to passes intercepted,do the math
although it is grammar school calculation,i doubt more than a few of you could even understand,that is why i read comments on brett favres career by previous and present nfl players,real players , not thomas jones/ kerry rhodes? im talkin staubach,young,montana,bradshaw,ditka,delhomme,urlacher,

1-04-2009 @ 3:06AM

YouFaceTheTick said...

So begins the yearly dance of the retiring drama queens. Who will play it up for more attention, Favre or Dungy?

Dungy is a perennial player in the "look-at-me" off-season game but Favre came on so strong last year that a repeat performance cannot be doubted.

1-04-2009 @ 3:07AM

And the league should find a way to sanction players and more importantly coaches who take other jobs or announce they're leaving before the season is over. The Kiffin thing in TB may have been part of why that old defense started playing worse - Kiffin has already checked out. Holmgren - again, just wrong. Dungy and his yearly, "I might quit routine..."

1-05-2009 @ 2:16PM

HUSKERDIVA said...

Brett, where is your self respect? You didn't play well this season. Enough is enough. You don't need the money. Where is your honor, your self respect? Do you really know when to say when? Give it up. This truly is sad and unbecoming of someone who truly was once a great football legend.

1-18-2009 @ 12:08PM

taz1sg said...

YouFaceTheTick has a good point - There were more cases of pre-playoff retirement/departure announcements this year. It has been happening since the all mightly Parcells informed his team prior to the 86 superbowl that he was leaving. I think the coaches & players need to have enough class to keep their mouths shut until their season is over. Dungy has hinted at it for the last 3 years but has always given his decision early and stuck with it. Brett has held his team hostage for the last 3 years. He was a great quarterback, at 40 I think he is still better than many starters but his skills have diminished and he throws way too many interceptions.