Brett Favre Files Retirement Papers: Vikings Quarterback Leaving NFL After 20 Seasons

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre officially filed his retirement papers on Monday.

In November, Favre told former NFL coach Steve Mariucci on the NFL Network that he will not be returning to play in 2011.

After sitting out in the season finale against the Detroit Lions due to a concussion, Favre said "it's time" in a postgame retirement speech.

"I know it's time, and that's OK. It is," the 41-year-old said. "Again, I hold no regrets, and I can't think of too many players offhand that can walk away and say that. Individually and from a team standpoint, it was way more than I ever dreamed of."

Favre retired in 2008 with the Green Bay Packers and in 2009 with the New York Jets, only to return both times.

Comments

[SportsChump]

12:17 PM on 01/21/2011

The best thing about the serial retirer is that you can just reprint old stories having to only correct the date.

Have you caught the latest Favre retirement spoof video? Prepare to laugh out loud.

http://sportschump.net/2011/01/20/tony-and-dan-spoof-brett-favre-spoofing-lebron-james-confused-yet-video/5509/

[I4seeInsanityin2012]

07:49 AM on 01/19/2011

Brett.. I'll buy you a new tractor & all the wranglers you want... just PLEASE call it a career !!!

[ME623]

07:18 AM on 01/19/2011

IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!!! IM GLAD THE OLD PERVERT IS RETIRING!

[DFLer83]

05:59 PM on 01/18/2011

As a Vikings fan, I hope this is it for the Sliver Fox. He had a magical season in 2009, but unfortunately he set our team back a few years in terms of team development especially at the Quarterback position. Also, his performance last season artificially made Brad Childress look good in the eyes of Vikings brass and translated to Childress's contract being extended when he would have otherwise been dismissed. Seriously, Childress hitched his cart to the Tarvaris Jackson horse for nearly 5 seasons. Any fool with eyes could see that T-Jack wasn't cut from NFL Quarterback timber. Deep down, Childress knew this, but his ego wouldn't allow for a public admittance of his mistake in drafting him. I hope Favre stays retired for good, I for one would not welcome him back in Purple. Happy trails, #4, happy trails.

[HighDesertBob]

05:37 PM on 01/18/2011

Brett, it's well past time.

[therubberbandguy1000]

05:17 PM on 01/18/2011

Look at all the haters here. Dirty Old Man? Famewhore?

Jealous much? Evny will destroy you people.

[inkhosi]

04:34 PM on 01/18/2011

I'm not going to say anything rude about this, despite how ambivalent I am about him as a Vikings fan. His career had a great run, he got a Super Bowl ring, made several pro bowls...his achievements speak for themselves. I hope that you've realized, Brett, that it really is time to hang it up, not just because of your diminishing skills (2009 being an exception), but also for the sake of your physical health.

Good luck, Brett, thanks for galvanizing the Vikings last year, even though you threw the pic at the end. Still wouldn't have made it without you.

...why am I writing him a letter? Oh, well, take care, Brett.

[lovinlife2]

12:17 PM on 01/18/2011

He'll likely reconsider with a new goal---I'll play 'till I'm 50.

[valeskas]

11:55 AM on 01/18/2011

Please don't, if you are coming back next year. I hate those repeats of coming back.

[Roland19]

08:51 AM on 01/18/2011

Great. Now, when he decides to come back, they can at least recycle those papers.

[RattleCat]

08:34 AM on 01/18/2011

I wonder how many other players filed their paperwork, that the media didn't bother to write about. 

Personally, I believe a man should be able to work for as long as he wants, and as long as there is someone to hire him. 

Realistically, his body has taken a lot of abuse over his career, and despite still having one of the strongest arms in the league, he needs to make sure the rest of him remains strong for the next 40 years. 

Professionally, I'd love to see him turn to coaching.  College level.  He's happiest around the game.

[inkhosi]

04:35 PM on 01/18/2011

Well, Favre's career is a little more noteworthy than that of most players.

[johnjohn1234]

08:13 AM on 01/18/2011

Again?

[SCboy]

08:09 AM on 01/18/2011

Papers written with invisible ink?

[PubicOption]

08:03 AM on 01/18/2011

The other headline:

"Favre's johnson non-committal: I still want to play"

[carafein]

07:58 AM on 01/18/2011

yawn