Brett Favre Will Stay Retired

In an unexpected turn of events, Brett Favre told the Minnesota Vikings today that he plans to stay retired. Even after having successful surgery on his throwing shoulder and going through weeks of supposedly successful training and rehab, Brett apparently felt the daily physical and mental grind was too much for him. Or something like that.

Brett Favre / Image: Zuma Press

Vikings head coach Brad Childress offered his condolences:

“I just think it was a rare opportunity to explore a Hall of Fame quarterback who had background in the NFC and in this division. He knows our system inside out … This doesn’t change anything about how I feel about our football team.”

Oh, but it does. Coach Childress can’t be comfortable with his quarterback situation. The team (except for QBs Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels) has to be tremendously disappointed with this news. A healthy Brett Favre—in an offense he knows very well with a tremendous running game—gave the Vikings a much better chance of success than turning to Tarvaris or Sage to lead this team. I’m not sure either of those players could start on another team in the National Football League. I hope I’m wrong, but without Brett, I think the Vikes suffer through a mediocre season that probably won’t even produce a playoff berth. One thing’s for sure. This talented team won’t reach their full potential without a good quarterback. Jeff George, where are you?

Update: Brett told NFL Network’s Steve Mariucci he was going to continue throwing the football and working out. Why? You didn’t think he was going away that easily did you? Brett purposely left the door open for his un-un-unretirement. We all know he hates training camp. Maybe Brett thinks he’ll just skip camp and join the Vikings when he darn well feels like it. Hmm.

Source: StarTribune.com