All About Four: Favre Retires

Brett Favre was narcissistic. He was arrogant, egotistical, pompous, smug, and superior. Favre owned every conversation. If not, he was insufferable.

On Wednesday, Favre retired again. “I have no reason to wonder why you would be so skeptical,” he said. “I have family and friends who are like, 'All right, Brett. Is this the real deal? To me, it is. It is. Believe me. It's been a wonderful career, I couldn't ask for anything more. It was worth a shot for me to go to New York. I wish I could've played better down the stretch. I didn't. It's time to leave.”

New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson’s reaction was gracious. “With Brett, there was always the possibility that he wouldn't play the second year,” Johnson said. “We were hoping to get one good year out of Brett Favre. We picked him based on, in our opinion, his giving us the best chance to win last season. We were disappointed not to have made the Super Bowl, but we did some very good things with Brett.”

On March 4, Favre retired. On July 12, he reconsidered. For two weeks, CEO Mark Murphy, General Manager Ted Thompson, and Favre sniped. On July 26, the Green Bay Packers chose Aaron Rodgers.

Undaunted, Favre received reinstatement. He reported. He retreated. On August 7, he was traded. The Packers reaction was polite. “Congratulations to Brett on a remarkable career,” they said. “The Packers organization wishes him and his family well. Brett always will hold a special place in Green Bay Packers history, and we remain committed to retiring his number at an appropriate time in the future.”

During his career, Favre started 269 contests. He completed 5,720 of 9,280 passes (61%). He amassed 65,127 yards with 464 touchdowns and 310 interceptions.

In 2007, Favre completed 356 of 535 passes for 4,155 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Packers went 13.3. In 2008, Favre completed 343 of 522 passes for 3,472 yards with 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. The Jets went 9-7.

Favre garnered three NFL Most Valuable Player Awards. He won Super Bowl XXXI. He accrued ten playoff appearances. Favre’s records include career completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.

I could register annoyance. I could scorch Favre. Instead, I will state the obvious. Favre should have remained retired.