Green Bay Packer Brett Favre pauses as he cries after announcing that he was officially retiring from football. (AP Photo/Shawano Leader, Cory Dellenbach)

Packers’ Brett Favre Retires

There’s an old saying that big boys don’t cry. But the biggest boy in the National Football League was in tears on March 6.

Brett Favre was sitting in front of the TV cameras in Green Bay. He was explaining his decision to retire after 16 years as Green Bay Packers quarterback.

“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,” Favre said. “I know I can play, but I don’t think I want to.”

Favre, 38, set every important career quarterback record. He was the only three-time NFL most valuable player. His replica jersey was a big seller for the NFL.

The “gunslinger” quarterback was admired for his strong arm, which allowed him to try risky passes. Announcers and fans also loved the joy Favre showed after each of his touchdown passes.

Favre said he will miss football
The quarterback from Southern Mississippi announced his retirement in a phone call to ESPN’s Chris Mortenson. “The only way to come back and make that be the right decision would be to come back and win a Super Bowl,” Favre said March 4. “And honestly, the odds of that, they’re tough. Those are big shoes for me to fill, and I guess it was a challenge I wasn’t up for.”

As Favre spoke two days later at the news conference, he wept. “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,” he said.

“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.”

Favre was talking about the work involved in preparing for games. He studied films of his opponents for many hours each week. He also helped to plan the Packers’ strategy on offense.

Broke many records last season
Last season was one of Favre’s finest. He led the Packers to a 13-3 record and the NFC championship game.

Favre set NFL records for victories by a quarterback, touchdown passes, pass attempts, passing yards and interceptions. In 2006, he set the record for most completed passes

His other major record was playing 275 games in a row, including playoff games.

Favre’s wife Deanna said the couple would use the next year to rest. “Honestly, we are really tired right now,” she explained.

The Packers plan for Aaron Rodgers to play quarterback next year.