Should he play or should he go? Favre's follies

[August 04, 2010]  (AP) -- Brett Favre's retirements and unretirements:

2008

March 4 -- Retires after 17-year career, 16 with the Packers.

March 6 -- At news conference at Lambeau Field: "I know I can play but I don't think I want to. It's been a great career for me, but it's over. As they say, all good things must come to an end. I look forward to whatever the future may hold for me."

April 25 -- Placed on reserve-retired list; Packers plan to retire his No. 4 jersey in regular-season game against Vikings.

June 20 -- Tells Packers coach Mike McCarthy he wants to come back: "When he picked up the phone again after he dropped it, he said, 'Oh, God, Brett. You're putting us in a tight spot. He said, 'Brett, playing here is not an option.' Those were his exact, exact words."

July 11 -- Requests release so he can return to NFL with another team: "The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team," reads team-issued statement.

July 17 -- Vikings have no comment on allegations by Packers that they made inappropriate contact before or during his effort to unretire.

Aug. 3 -- NFL says he will be reinstated and added to Packers' active roster.

Aug. 4 -- Returns to Packers after failing to come to financial agreement that would keep him retired. "Once again, there has been indecision throughout Brett's path back here to Green Bay. It's important for us to sit down and communicate," McCarthy says.

Aug. 6 -- Traded to New York Jets.

Aug. 7 -- At news conference in Cleveland, where Jets are in town for a preseason game: "I'm a little out of shape, compared to the other guys. The last 24 hours have been crazy. This offseason has been bizarre. But I'm excited by this opportunity."

Aug. 9 -- "I know I still can play. I don't think too many people question that. I think a lot of people question what happened this offseason."

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2009

Feb. 11 -- Retires after one season with Jets, claiming injured right shoulder is too sore after team misses playoffs. "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."

April 28 -- Released from reserve-retired list by Jets, making him a free agent: "At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football."

May 1 -- Vikings express interest.

July 28 -- Calls Vikings coach Brad Childress and says he's staying retired: "It was the hardest decision I've ever made. I didn't feel like physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings -- but, most importantly, the fans."

Aug. 18 -- Signs with Vikings: "You need to cross over that line. You need to take that chance. At 39 years old, your arm may not feel like it did at 21, but the pieces are in place here where you don't have to do as much ... "If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too."

Aug. 21 -- Debuts for Vikings in preseason game, going 1 for 4 for 4 yards in a 17-13 victory over Kansas City.

Sept. 13 -- In his first regular-season game as a Viking, makes his 270th consecutive start and throws a TD pass in a 34-20 win at Cleveland.

Oct. 5 -- Few games have been hyped the way his first appearance against the Packers. Game in Minneapolis draws largest cable TV audience ever as he throws for three TDs and 271 yards in a 30-23 victory: "I don't know how to explain it. I felt right, but I guess I never thought I'd be in that situation."

Nov. 1 -- Favre's first game as a visitor at Lambeau is a rousing success -- four TDs in a 38-26 victory. A camera follows him the entire game that fans could watch on a webcast. "Hey Favre Halloween is over! Take off that silly purple costume," reads one sign.

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2010

Jan. 24 -- Battered after leading Vikings to a 12-4 record and a playoff win, he throws a last-minute interception at New Orleans and Saints go on to win NFC title game in OT: "Just wondering if I can hold up, especially after a day like today. Physically and mentally. That was pretty draining."

May 21 -- Confirms arthroscopic surgery on left ankle, a necessary step if he were to play again.

Aug. 3 -- Tells Vikings he's not returning.

[Associated Press]

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