 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
| Favre answers Sun Herald questions about 'un-retiring' |
|
« Back |
Source: Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald
Apr. 8, 2008
Recent media reports have suggested former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre may not be retiring after all.
Since shortly after he made his announcement on March 4, pundits and fans have speculated that perhaps he wasn't done after all. Others have said they'll believe he is retired when the Green Bay starting lineups are announced this fall - and not before.
Amid all this speculation, Favre has remained largely silent, preferring to let others debate the issue of his retirement.
But in a recent interview with Sun Herald sports writer Al Jones, who was working with Favre on a foreward for the Sun Herald's upcoming book, "The Brett Favre Story," the Hancock County native did some speculating himself on whether he'd consider coming out of retirement.
Favre admits he's thought about it and has had moments of reflection since his decision. But, bottom line, he said, is that he's happy with the decision he made.
Here are a few excerpts from Favre's conversation with Jones:
• When asked if he would return to football if the Packers called because of team injuries, Favre said:
"It would be hard to pass up, I guess. But three months from now, say that presents itself, I may say, you know what, I'm so glad I made that decision. I'm feel very comfortable in what I'm doing and my decision.
"Yeah, I can probably be up there doing that and playing, but again, I don't know. It's only speculating. I think the world of that team. I had a lot of fun, not only this year, but over my career. Those guys I played with this past year, a lot of young guys, a lot of fun.
"I think of that, when I think of now being retired, I think I won't be in the quarterback/receiver meeting on Thursdays joking around and having fun and game plan and all that stuff together. It was a fun year. That was fun throwing the ball around like we did. There's no reason to think that won't happen again. Aaron has fallen into a great situation. And if that opportunity presented itself and they did call, it would be tempting. And I very well could be enticed to do it."
• But upon further review, Favre added this:
"But I don't want to do it if I'm not in shape. It would be hard to go up there at 38. It was hard to stay in shape. I say that, I worked out and I worked out hard. Week in and week out, I was just drained. Finally, for the first time, I felt, not that 38 is old, but I looked around at practice and these guys are bouncing around. And I practiced every day and all the time people would ask me, god, how do you do it? Inside I'm saying, 'I have no idea.' It's a struggle.
"But to think that if they called me in October and told me, 'Hey, we need you this week.' That would be hard. I'm sure mentally, I would be refreshed. I'd be away from it for a long time. But mentally vs. physically, the last thing I'd want to do is go up and it's 'Oh this is great and all that stuff and me be excited and then just flop.
"You just can't show up and play."
• On the issue of filing his retirement papers:
"To be honest with you, never having retired before, I didn't know you had to do that. But Bus (Cook, Favre's agent) and I were talking about it the other day. The Packers had to call. At some point, you have to do it so you don't count toward the (salary) cap.
"So at some point, Bus told me this, too. 'OK you send your papers in today. You send one in tomorrow that says you're unretired. So it's no big deal.' So once you send them in, yeah, it's official, but you could be unofficial the next day. So it's not like, 'Oh, he's over and done with.' You can change your mind the next day.
"As I was flying up to the press conference, I thought, 'Do I really want to do this?' I don't know if I was ever completely convinced one way or the other. That's what I wanted to do at that particular time. I felt like that was the best move for me and the family."
• About the timing of his retirement:
"I could keep saying one more year, one more year, one more year until something happens or they say, 'Brett, we don't want you anymore.' Or you get hurt. Or whatever. And who knows when that time will be. But I just felt it was the right time.
"Come fall, I may think it ain't the right time. But that's the chance I take. Could I possibly see coming back? I think there's a greater chance of me not playing than there would be of me playing again, especially at 38. (Troy) Aikman thought about it. (Dan) Marino thought about it. I'm sure a lot of guys thought about it. Will I think about it? I'm sure. Especially knowing I can play and the way we played this past year.
"It's tempting. Right now, I feel at peace with my decision. Today is no different that it was last year. I'm just sitting back enjoying my free time."
• And the final word:
"I guess the best response would be, right now no (I'm not coming back).
"I'm happy with my decision. Just taking it one day at a time." |
|
| |
|
