After nearly three months of what he described as intense and often emotional soul-searching, Brett Favre decided to remain retired from the NFL rather than become the Minnesota Vikings‘ starting quarterback.
Favre told ESPN’s Ed Werder that the decision not to play for the Vikings was incredibly difficult, and in the process he indicated that he is unlikely to ever consider playing again in the NFL.
“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made,” Favre said. “I didn’t feel like physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings — but, most importantly, the fans.”
Favre, who had shoulder surgery in May, experienced soreness in both ankles and his left knee during his private workouts in Mississippi. The pain would not subside and worsened as he continued to prepare for a potential 19th NFL season, which Favre considered proof that his health was too precarious to be trusted for a 16-game season.
“I had to be careful not to commit for the wrong reasons,” Favre said. “They were telling me, ‘You went through all this, you had the surgery and you’ve got to finish it off.’ But I have legitimate reasons for my decision. I’m 39 with a lot of sacks to my name.”
Favre, who is nearly 40, said his decision was made after consulting with former coaches Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid, and despite the lobbying efforts of Vikings players. Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen and Steve Hutchinson made phone calls or sent text messages in what one source described as Minnesota’s “full-court press” to convince Favre to sign the previously negotiated one-year, $10 million contract.
But Favre rejected the Vikings on more than one occasion in the past week. Last Monday, Favre informed offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, a former Green Bay assistant coach and a close friend, he thought playing again was too risky and that he would remain retired. When Favre told Bevell he wasn’t sure his body could endure a full season, Bevell pleaded with him to reconsider, and Favre consented but could “never get over the mental hump.”
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