Brett Favre has refuted a report which stated he was having second
thoughts about his retirement.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reported the former Green Bay
Packers quarterback — who announced his retirement last month
— was contemplating a comeback with another team.
Citing NFL sources, the Times reported that Favre had been quietly
talking with teams about their interest in trading for the three-time
NFL Most Valuable Player.
However, Favre told SI.com on Friday that he is not considering coming
out of retirement.
"That's the last thing I'm thinking about," Favre said. "I have no idea
where it came from, but it certainly didn't come from me. I'm happy
about my decision and I haven't once said, 'I wonder if I made the
wrong decision.' I know it's the right one."
Favre also was surprised a story surfaced about him returning.
"It's crazy to me that I'm the guy they're all talking about, and the
story is out there everywhere, and I have nothing to do with it," Favre
told SI.com. "It's not something I'm thinking about. It's kind of
funny. Even when I'm retired, they won't let me stay retired."
On March 4, Favre, who played with the Packers for 16 seasons,
announced his retirement during an emotional press conference at
Lambeau Field.
Favre, 38, has yet to give written notice of his retirement to the
league or players' union.
Favre’s agent is making inquiries with teams about their
interest in trading for Favre, NFL sources told the Los Angeles Times
early Thursday.
The Times report was followed Thursday by vehement denials by the
agent, James “Bus” Cook, and Packers GM Ted
Thompson.
However, Sam Farmer, author of the Times story, stood by his story in
media interviews. And in a report in the Wisconsin State Journal of
Madison, Wis., an NFL official is quoted as saying there is
“at least something to” the Times report.
The deal? Cook reportedly quietly approached NFL teams to see if they
would be interest in trading for Favre.
Favre, 38, announced his retirement in March 4, followed by a March 6
news conference. However, he has yet to submit retirement papers to the
NFL or the players’ union. It’s not mandatory that
he do so and not uncommon for players to delay filing their retirement
papers.
The Packers hold Favre’s rights and could trade him.
However, Favre’s agent, James “Bus” Cook,
told the Times: “He’s retired, period, point
blank.” And Packers GM Ted Thompson told the Associated
Press: “We don’t know anything about it, and
it’s inconceivable.”
Favre played 17 seasons. He was a three-time NFL most valuable player
and won a Super Bowl title with the Packers in 1996.
He was outstanding in 2007 while leading the Packers to the NFC
Championship Game. He threw for 4,155 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15
interceptions. The Packers lost the NFC title game to the New York
Giants 23-20 in overtime.
In the Journal story on Thursday, reporter Jason Wilde writes:
“The idea that Cook was asking such questions would mean that
if Favre were having second thoughts about hanging up his cleats, he
would have to continue his career with another team, since the Packers
have been clear in their support of new starting quarterback Aaron
Rodgers.
“The source said it’s also possible that Cook was
acting without Favre’s knowledge.”
In addition to Thompson’s denial, Packers coach Mike McCarthy
cast doubts on Favre returning. He told Wilde: “When I talked
to him, he’d just gotten off a bulldozer moving trees. He
definitely doesn’t miss the offseason program. I think
he’ll feel it about September when opening day starts.
That’s when you have to worry about it. For 17 years in a
row, his fall has always been around football.”
Cook attempted to douse reports of his inquiries with these comments to
ESPN: “That is absolutely false. Absolutely false, and you
can quote me on that.”
At the March 6 news conference to confirm his retirement decision,
Favre—as tough a player as the NFL has seen—broke
into tears, unable at times to speak, as he spoke. He sounded like a
burned-out player who was ready to end a career that likely will take
him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I’ve given everything I possibly can give to this
organization, to the game of football, and I don’t think
I’ve got anything left to give. I know I can play, but I
don’t think I want to.
“I will wonder if I made the wrong decision. I’m
sure on Sundays I will say, ‘I could be doing that, I should
be doing that.’ But I’m not going to sit here like
other players have said in the past (and say) I won’t miss
it, because I will. But I just don’t think I can give
anything else, aside from the three hours on Sundays, and in football
you can’t do that. It’s a total commitment, and up
to this point, I have been totally committed.”
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