National Football League quarterback Brett Favre has retired again, ending his one-year stay with the New York Jets. The 39-year-old Favre instructed his agent to inform the Jets he will not be returning in 2009.
The decision brings down the curtain on an 18-year career in which he was one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks. After starting last season with an 8-3 record, the Jets lost four of their five last games to miss the playoffs.
Many blamed Favre, who threw nine interceptions during the slump and ended the year with an NFL-high 22. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum says Favre decided it was time to retire.
"All I can tell you is what he mentioned. He just felt like he had given us everything he had and it was time for him to move on," he said.
Favre spent 16 years with the Green Bay Packers before an emotional retirement before the 2008 season. Favre changed his mind, but after the Packers made it clear they did not want him back, Favre signed with the Jets. Tannenbaum says Favre spoke with the Jets before deciding to retire.
"We had a couple of conversations with Brett and it was more just dialogue going back and forth. And it was really just getting feedback from Brett," he said.
In an e-mail to cable sports television network ESPN, Favre was complimentary toward Jets management and his teammates. He said he had no regrets about ending his career in New York and enjoyed his one season with the team.
