One of the greats of NFL history hangs it up.

Brett Favre told Green Bay Packers officials yesterday that he is walking away after a 17-year career in which he established himself as one of the most prolific and charismatic quarterbacks in NFL history.

Favre, 38, had pondered retirement in each of the last few offseasons but chose to continue a career that's sure to land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, even when it seemed as if his best days as a player might be behind him. He reversed the downward spiral in his play this past season, recapturing the exuberance and daring success of his younger days and leading the Packers to the doorstep of another Super Bowl appearance.

That resurgence on a youthful team created the expectation that he was likely to return next season. Instead, he informed Packers Coach Mike McCarthy by telephone Monday night that he would retire and reiterated that plan in a phone conversation yesterday morning with General Manager Ted Thompson.

Frankly, this is a good choice. The man doesn't feel ready to continue with the physically and mentally grueling effort that he needs to put out to excel. Better to allow a younger man to step in and lead the team to the next level than to pull the packers down by a halfhearted effort. We've all seen what happens when a great player over-stays his welcome. I'm glad Favre won't be a player remembered that way.

Posted by: Greg at 11:24 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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