Brett Favre Hangs It Up...

Without the tearful public ceremony that accompanied his retirement announcement from the Green Bay Packers just 11 months ago, quarterback Brett Favre has told the New York Jets he is retiring.

Favre had instructed his agent, James "Bus" Cook, to inform the Jets on Wednesday that he is retiring. Jets team executives and coach Rex Ryan confirmed the retirement in a statement, saying they talked to Favre on Wednesday morning about his decision.

"I have great admiration for him as a player and a person. I wish him only the best in his life after football," Ryan said.

In an e-mail to ESPN's Ed Werder, Favre indicated he had no regrets about finishing his career with the Jets rather than with the Green Bay Packers franchise he represented for his previous 16 NFL seasons. He specifically praised Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, team owner Woody Johnson and fired coach Eric Mangini -- and even mentioned Thomas Jones and  Kerry Rhodes, both of whom were publicly critical of Favre after the team's collapse in the final month of the season prevented the Jets from making the playoffs.

"Mike and Woody, as well as the entire organization, have been nothing short of outstanding,'' Favre said in the e-mail. "My teammates -- Thomas and Kerry included -- were a pleasure to play with. Eric [Mangini] could not have been any better. I enjoyed playing for him. My time with the Jets was short, but I'm honored to be given that chance.''

Full story here.

Much respect to Favre, he's no doubt one of the greatest QBs ever. But it's about time. Over the past 3 or 4 years, Favre's been one of the most selfish players in the NFL, by wavering back and forth between to retire, to not retire. The Packers had finally had enough, and didn't let him come back, which I don;t blame them for. Look at what he's done to the Jets. Came in, sold some tickets, and got off to an 8-3 start. Then, he had a dismal second half of the season that included losing 4 of their last 5, and falling out of playoff contention. Worse, though, Favre leaves the Jets with nothing. No playoffs, and instead of  being able to use last season to develop a new quarterback or make other personel changes, they had Brett Favre for 1 season. What good does that do anybody - Favre or the Jets?

Via: ESPN