Posted on 03/06/2008 3:05:45 PM PST by swampdweller
Seems like just yesterday we were here. Well, I think we all know why I'm here. First of all, sorry I'm late. But I am officially retiring from the NFL and the Green Bay Packers, and as much as I've thought about what I would say, and how ... I promised I wouldn't get emotional ... it's never easy ... you know, it's funny, I've watched hundreds of players retire, and you wonder what that would be like ... you think you're prepared ... but I was telling Deanna on the way over here, God has blessed me with so many great things. Ability, wonderful family. And as I was flying up here today I thought about so many different things and how I wanted to say some of the things that I felt like I need to say, but he gave me an opportunity to use my abilities, and I seized that opportunity ... I thank him for that.
I'd like to thank the Packers, for giving me the opportunity as well. I hope that every penny ... I hope that every penny that they've spent on me, they know was money well-spent. It was never about the money or fame or records, and I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things ... It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments, the teammates that I've played with, and I can name so many. It was never about me, it was about everybody else. It just so happens the position I played got most of the attention. But the Packers have been, ... it's been a great relationship, and I hope that this organization and the fans appreciate me as much as I appreciate them.
I can't leave without saying thanks to Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren for giving me a chance when no one else would. I'd like to thank Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson, Bob Harlan, Tom Clements my recent quarterback coach, Darrell Bevell. Mike was my quarterback coach in '99. Andy Reid, Marty, ... Steve Mariucci, Mike Sherman, Ray Rhodes, Tom Rossley, and I could go through so many different names and players and seasons. It's been everything I thought it would be, and then some. And it's hard to leave. You think you're prepared for it. I know there's been comments and issues in the press lately about why I'm leaving, whether or not the Packers did enough, whether or not Ted and Mike tried to convince me to stay. None of those things have anything to do with me retiring, and that's from the heart.
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, and that's it. I know I can play, but I don't think I want to. And that's really what it comes down to. Fishing for different answers and what ifs and will he come back and things like that, what matters is it's been a great career for me, and it's over. As hard as that is for me to say, it's over. There's only one way for me to play the game, and that's 100 percent. Mike and I had that conversation the other night, and 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. I'm not going to sit here like other players maybe have said in the past that 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.
As I look back on my career, no regrets. No regrets, whatsoever. Sure, I would have liked to have won more games, would have liked to have gone to a Super Bowl this year, would have liked to have thrown less interceptions, more touchdowns, but no regrets. I played the game one way, the only way I knew how.
I can't leave without saying thank you to the fans. When I laughed and when my family laughed, they laughed. When I cried, they cried. When I cheered, they cheered. When I threw an interception, well, you know. But it was a perfect fit for me. Little ol' Southern Miss, southern boy from Hancock County who had big dreams, no different than any other kid, to play here, and there's no better place to play. I had a conversation with Ron Wolf yesterday, and we had that discussion. To be thought of as one of the best players to play in this league, and to be mentioned within an organization that has players like Reggie White and Bart Starr and Paul Hornung and Willie Davis and Willie Wood and Herb Adderley and Jim Taylor, Ray Nitschke, Vince Lombardi. To be mentioned with those people, ... I'm honored. Really ... I am honored. I hope everyone knows how special this is and I truly appreciate the opportunity, and as they say all good things must come ... come to an end.
But I look forward to whatever the future may hold for me. Deanna and our two girls, Brittany and Breleigh, I sincerely thank you Deanna and my family for being there and supporting me, going back and forth and switching schools and putting up with all those things. I know you probably have some questions, I'll try to answer them as best I can, but hopefully I addressed a lot of the issues and spoke from the heart.
How does Madden feel about it?
didn’t he try to retire after the 2006 season with the tears etc? I say give him a few months off, and let’s have the Bears draft him.
I’m probably the only “Cheese Head” in the Florida Panhandle...and this is a real blow. Never saw it coming.
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL HERE IN GREEN BAY!
I cried today watching him. He was amazing.For most of his 17 yrs. he gave us thrills and always hope.
I’m a Dallas fan and when they lost to New York, I remember thinking that maybe Brett would make it to another Super Bowl in what could be his last year. When the Giants beat the Packers, I thought that for sure that Brett would be back for one more year. I am sorry to see him go. He’s a great player and a great person.
I watched the whole ting. I love the guy, but his goodbye was way over the top.
People die every day with more dignity.
You can find the whole interview with Madden here: Madden Shares Memories of Favre
I loved his love for the game. He played with the enthusiasm of a kid and win or lose, I loved watching him play.He was a class act and will be missed.
Check these amazing Favre quotes out:
Five years ago I sat with Favre in a quiet room in Lambeau Field between training camp practices. About 50 minutes into what was supposed to be a 20-minute interview, I asked him if he felt a responsibility to the Packers and the NFL to play for as long as possible. This is what he said:
“No, honestly that never played into my mind because I know for a fact that I’ve been worth every penny they’ve given me. For every dollar someone spent at the ticket office to watch me play, they’ve gotten their money’s worth.
“I’m not saying I’m great or anything, but I play the game one way, regardless of how much money I make. People watching in the stands, I think they say ‘If I was out there, that’s the way I’d play.’ I’ve busted my [butt] in practice, and done everything I’ve been asked to do and then some, and taken it to a different level.
“I’ve remained the same as far as my personality. I’m very respectful and understand where I am, what I’ve done. I never wake up and say, ‘I’ve been living a lie for years, I know I could have given more.’ I would hope the fans would never think that, that I haven’t given everything I could have.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-05-qbs-favremar05,0,3466419.story
I thought the same thing as you did, srmorton. I figured he was so close the the Superbowl with a great young team that for sure he’d come back. Once again, Brett pulls a surprise out of his hat. Thanks for the post...being a rival of the Pack, it’s always nice to hear sportsmanship from the fans.
Already a legend, next season is year 0001 AF (After Favre). The man was the most exciting quarterback I ever saw play the game. He was one of a kind and he will be missed. More than just a football player, he was a class act, who demonstrated that no matter what you do you need to bring childlike enthusiasm to it and have fun and leave nothing on the field. Thanks Brett. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement.
We'll miss ya Brett....
Mississippi Man! He will be missed on the field.
His press conference was a tear jerker. He never tried to hide his emotions. He was never afraid to show the real Brett Favre to the world, whether he was happy or sad. His retirement is like having the heart ripped out of Packer fans.
“Brett Favre Announces Retirement”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUQLEk6QsVs
“ESPN Soundtracks with Brett Favre”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvDOHYy49V0
“Brett Favre Video”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySkxV7ZvTDs&feature=related
“BRETT FAVRE TRIBUTE”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPtmyHBoYug&NR=1
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