Favre Finally Hangs Up His Cleats

We all knew this day would come sooner or later.

Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers future Hall-of-Fame QB and the Bears’ perennial thorn in their side, has officially announced his retirement from football today. At age 38, Favre has decided he’s had enough of the game and is moving on, leaving the sport he loves on his own terms. Here’s the official statement from Packers’ General Manager Ted Thompson about Favre’s retirement.

After a couple of sub par years in 2005 and 2006, he made quite a comeback in 2007, leading his team to a division title in the NFC North and into the NFC title game, which they lost to the New York Giants. Being the competitor that he is, you’d figure Favre would want to leave the game on a high note – and he did.

I won’t go into all the details of how Favre has contributed to this sport. His records speak for themselves, but you can see for yourself on the Packers tribute page.

I think I will always remember Favre as a tough competitor who never gave up. His drive, grit and determination on the field made him special to watch. His cannon arm wasn’t so bad either.

Packers’ fans and the league will certainly miss Favre. Bears fans may not want to admit it, but they will miss him too.

Favre Retirement Watch Begins

Will Brett Favre retire -- or won't he? That is the question everyone is asking today after the Packer QB lit up the Chicago Bears for 285 yards during last night's nationally televised regular-season finale at Soldier Field.

I can see why Favre keeps vascillating on this issue. After watching last night's telecast, my feelings were also split. His performance against the Bears convinced me that he is still one of the best QBs in the game. His skills and the desire to compete are still there. And with four straight victories to end the season, Favre might be tempted to return to the team for one more season.

But Favre's tearful post-game interview may have spoken volumes about his mindset about retirement. NBC analyst John Madden said it best -- if Favre knows he is coming back next season, he would be dry-eyed. Instead, he fought back tears and kept his poise as sideline reporter Andrea Kremer asked questions about his future in football. Anyone watching the interview had to get the sense that Favre already knew the answer to the retirement question, and made sure his performance at Soldier Field on New Year's Eve in front of a national audience would provide a lasting impression.

For all the criticism that the NFL received about broadcasting this game in prime time, maybe the league knew something the rest of us did not. If, in fact, last night's season finale was Favre's last game in pro football, what better way to give him a sendoff than on national TV against the divisional rival Chicago Bears? You could not script a better ending than that.

Favre has said that he will make his decision within the next couple of weeks. Let the countdown begin.