Breaking: Jay Glazer Says Brett Favre to Retire
NFL March 4th. 2008, 9:33am
Wow.
(UPDATE: Just for kicks, let’s monitor this and see what other outlets come up with. Glazer’s story was marked 9:17, and we came in about 16 minutes later. No sign on ESPN, SI, Yahoo or Sportsline yet.)
(UPDATE II: ESPN checks in at 9:39 with Mort confirming what Glazer had, and giving Fox credit. ESPN is playing nice! Nothing at SI, Sportsline or Yahoo.)
FOXSports.com has learned that legendary quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire. In fact, it’s believed he informed the Packers of his decision within the last few days, although it’s unclear when Favre and the team will make his decision known.
So barring an unforeseen last-minute change of heart, Favre will leave the game after 17 years, during which he built himself into a household name and a figure synonymous with grit, toughness and perseverance.
Neither GM Ted Thompson nor head coach Mike McCarthy returned several calls left by FOXSports.com for confirmation.
After flirting with retirement for the last few years, Favre will finally go out on the heels of one of the best seasons of his career.
UPDATE III: And thanks to our one (?) reader in Mississippi who sent in this link to Favre’s brother telling the Sun Herald that the Packers’ legendary QB is done.
Favre has decided to call it a career (Fox Sports)
99 Responses to “Breaking: Jay Glazer Says Brett Favre to Retire”
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March 4th, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Is this real, or is just pissy again because they didn’t get Randy Moss?
March 4th, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Should have signed Moss Packers
March 4th, 2008 at 9:37 AM
I dont think he’d retire with them being so close to the Super Bowl.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:41 AM
I hope, I pray that this means Berman does too!
March 4th, 2008 at 9:41 AM
I give Jay Glazer, arguably the best reporter in the NFL, a slight nod over some Packers website (or whatever that crap was last week).
March 4th, 2008 at 9:41 AM
he is pissy again over moss. i agree with that statement
March 4th, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Without confirmation?! Man, thats some set of journalistic balls Jay Glazer has! Good for him….
March 4th, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Somewhere, Peter King and John Madden gently weep.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Peter King is weeping
March 4th, 2008 at 9:45 AM
ESPN has it on its site as Breaking News at 9:40 EST.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Madden enter the Suicide Watch….
March 4th, 2008 at 9:45 AM
How soon before John Clayton finds this story on the Internet, and ESPN begins saying “ESPN’s John Clayton reports that Brett Favre will retire”?
March 4th, 2008 at 9:45 AM
WFAN confirmed it as well
March 4th, 2008 at 9:46 AM
espn gives credit to foxsports too
if this isnt true glazer loses his job
March 4th, 2008 at 9:46 AM
9:45am and it’s on ESPN and by God, they even give scoop credits! They do manage to start the message with it being reported by Mortensen though.
“Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting. Mortensen reported that according to Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, Favre has informed Packers coach Mike McCarthy of his decision. Foxsports.com first reported Favre’s decision.”
March 4th, 2008 at 9:47 AM
ESPN.com says “Favre’s agent tells Chris Mortensen…”
So much for that.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Guys, this is old news. Florio broke it two years ago.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:47 AM
hey mort, big fan of the mort report!
March 4th, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Aaron Rodgers, you ready for action?
March 4th, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Mortenson has a sweet gig. Surf the internet and just keep hitting the refresh button on Fox Sports
March 4th, 2008 at 9:49 AM
nothing like making your last start a loss at home to eli manning in the playoffs. this season keeps getting better for me.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:50 AM
not to mention his final pass was a horrible pick in overtime
March 4th, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Good for him, I mean they probably weren’t having this type of year again. Everything fell their way this year, he had a great run, got close, but the Pack weren’t winning the SB any time soon.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Favre’s agent confirmed. he said there will be no press conference though. nice move.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Seems like he was ready to hang it up but convinced himself he would come back if they got Moss. Based on the fact that Packers website posted a week ago he was going to retire
March 4th, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Anyone else listening to the Brett Favre Boogie right now?
March 4th, 2008 at 9:55 AM
i really hope that is not the case. i hope he says he was ready to hang it up and it had nothing to do with Moss. That would taint my man crush for #4. As a 23 year old Packer fan, he’s all i know. (i refuse to remember the Magic Man).
March 4th, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Apparently after hearing this, Aaron Rodgers pulled his hammy jumping for joy
March 4th, 2008 at 9:57 AM
I wish I could tabulate how much money Favre has lost me over the years. Alas, great career #4.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:57 AM
how long do you give it until peter king demands favre be immediately enshrined in Canton?
March 4th, 2008 at 9:57 AM
I hate the Packers and have hated Favre by association but I am going to miss seeing him play.
Aaron Rodgers is either really excited or shitting his pants right now.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Wow. From NFC Championship to Aaron Rodgers in just a couple of months.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:59 AM
That game he had after his Father was killed – I mean – I have no words! Goosebumps, chills whatever you want to call it. Simply an amazing game.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I remember the Packers before Favre and am excited about returning to those days.
I have said a million times that I would rather be down by 10 points with two minutes to the Packers rather than up by 10. He was a master at the 2 minute drill and never seemed to get sacked even when he had 3 guys coming after him.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I know we can all make fun of the man crush all announcers have over Farve, but I will miss watching him play. Unless you hate your dad, I dare you to watch highlights of that Monday night game against Oakland without getting a little misty in the eyes.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
O Qua– i still can’t watch that game with out getting choked up.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Aaron Rodgers will be interesting. He looked good in that Dallas game but its a lot different when you are just coming in for Farve as opposed to being the starter. I don’t think Rodgers will be great but could have a nice career. Hopefully he does well and this will be a lesson to all GM’s. Sit your drafted quarterbacks
March 4th, 2008 at 10:01 AM
@wilhelmreems – King’s been trying to get him elected for the last ten years. Don’t think King’s pissed about those ‘dumb’ eligibility rules Dr. Z has been reminding him about.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:03 AM
GOOD! It’s about time. Somewhere John Madden and Frank Caliendo quietly weep…BOOM!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:03 AM
click on the paper field goal challenge on the ad to the right. i bet no one can make a field goal like they did in the lunchroom.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I can’t wait until we can sit back and put Favre’s career in the proper perspective…I think he was great but he is retiring as a entirely overrated QB…and by that I mean people talk about him like he was the greatest to play the game and in reality he was not even the best QB to play in his generation. Favre is a gamer and puts on a hell of a show but it can be stated that for the heights he lifted his team he also hurt them at the worst times…with that said I am happy I got to watch him in person a few times in his career but hopefully the retirement is real because if I have to go through another year of the Farve retirement shit I am going to shit.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Agree with Roman.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:06 AM
How soon before ESPN announces that it has pre-empted tonight’s SEC basketball game to run a three-hour “SportsCenter Special” on him?
If more Roger Clemens “news” surfaces today, what do they lead with?
March 4th, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Favre’s last pass was caught by Corey Webster.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I agree Roman, while this may not be the time to start ripping him down already, I think a good argument could be made that the Pack would have more than 1 SB trophy with a more steady QB. In the late 90’s they had some very very talented teams. They would not have been as exciting, but he singlehandedly lost playoff games at times with just horrible throws (see two months ago).
March 4th, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I’m shocked.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I think he will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. People will remember his mid-90s years. His 3 straight MVPs (I believe) and Super Bowl. Sure, his 2000s until last year were an embarrassment, but people have already forgotten Emmitt Smith’s years with the Cardinals.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I am shocked more people don’t like this photo!
http://www.hottestgirlsonfacebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/adriana_lima.jpg
March 4th, 2008 at 10:13 AM
thats because people now remember Emmitt’s year at ESPN. Brett will be one of the all-time greats. They should’ve beat Denver in 98 but the team’s talent fell off signifigantly after that. I disagree that the Packer’s would’ve won more SB’s with a different QB.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:14 AM
If Peyton Manning wins only one Super Bowl, will his career be less fondly remembered? It all depends on how you choose to interpret things. Some people will say “he won fewer Super Bowls than Jim Plunkett” and some people will say “at least he won one, unlike Dan Marino, among others.”
March 4th, 2008 at 10:15 AM
I like that photo alot
March 4th, 2008 at 10:18 AM
You have 49ers in your name so of course you’re a smart man.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:18 AM
jgp, if what you say is true about the sec game tonight I am going to be pissed. It’s much more fun to watch my Hogs lose on TV to a shitbag team like Ole Piss than it is to listen to it on the radio.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Benji, I’m not making that argument, I love America..I mean Farve. I just think the argument can be made, he absolutely killed them in several playoff games.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I never thought Favres consecutive game started could be touched but looking at the numbers, Peyton Manning has a legit shot to do it
March 4th, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Dan Marino was in more ace ventura movies though. and bad boys 2.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:23 AM
benji, don’t forget Favre was in Something about Mary back when Cameron Diaz was still hot.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:24 AM
i would never forget about that. the most random movie appearance ever.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:25 AM
arkbadger, I was making my comments in jest. But you know that someone in the “ESPN Family of Networks” will be airing a special about him.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Clemens in Kingpin trumps both.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:29 AM
JGP I am not sure that would be entirely unwarranted.
His retirement is HUGE news.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:29 AM
I hope Strahan retires now also. That way they’ll get elected to the hall of fame the same year. During the induction ceremony, they can re-enact the famous play where Favre layed down for Strahan so he could get his bogus single season sack record.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Jimmy Johnson as a random prisoner in “The Shield” was always my favorite “WTF?” moment.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Well, ESPN.com’s story says “ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that according to Favre’s agent, Buss Cook, Favre informed Packers coach Mike McCarthy of his decision Monday night.”
Not a damn thing about Foxsports.com.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:31 AM
No doubt it’s huge news. I think there should be a special about him. I just hope they don’t interrupt my one chance to see an SEC game this year that doesn’t involve Kentucky.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:32 AM
jgp, yeah I figured that. But the more I think about it the more I kind of hope that it actually happens, that way maybe people will forget how horrible they really are on the road.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:33 AM
NDub, as TBL mentions, there is a credit later in the ESPN story. It just comes after ESPN’s “confirmation.”
March 4th, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Cowherd just said he belives if the Packers would have signed Randy Moss Favre would not hace retired.
1 Joe Montana
2 Dan Marino
3 John Elway
4 Brett Favre
5 Warren Moon
March 4th, 2008 at 10:35 AM
This story is now almost 2 hours old, yet ESPN News has still not broken away for a special report. You’re telling me that they didn’t have a “Favre Highlights For Retirement” package ready to go? What are they waiting for? Berman to come down off the roof?
March 4th, 2008 at 10:36 AM
sportscenter special 1-3 ET.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Lenn – Are you watch News, ESPN2 or ESPN?
March 4th, 2008 at 10:36 AM
jayjaib49ers, I’m conflicted. I think the timing makes it feel like they’re related. But what about the accidental post on the Packers website? I’m simply guessing that he told the Packers a week ago to get ready for this.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Cowherd just said he belives if the Packers would have signed Randy Moss Favre would not hace retired.
You just lost your credibility Jayjaib!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:37 AM
News – I’ve seen Arena Football highlights 5 times. And while it is amazing that fans can intercept passes, I have a feeling that Favre retiring is a slightly larger story.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I’m watching ESPNews, and it’s just in the “breaking news” box. I think I saw Michael Kim come in once on the update. Oh well, I’m on my way to work now.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I just flipped over to ESPN (quickly) and ESPN2 (VER quickly – Skip Bayliss!!! Aaahhhhhh!!!!!!!) and both are discussing Moss re-signing.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Strahan’s sack record was completely legit…He had Favre dead to rights and Favre went down do avoid hurting himself, a smart move by a wily veteran…And Strahan is not going anywhere the World Champion New York Football Giants need him to repeat.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:41 AM
So fitting that Favre’s last pass was an interception. Here’s hoping the Packers plummet right back down to the bottom of the NFC North where they belong.
[/Vikes fan]
March 4th, 2008 at 10:43 AM
yeah, these sad Skip moments im sure are all pre-scripted and when the Favre news hits only 30 minutes before the show, they probably couldn’t scramble in time to come up with more than, ‘well, it’s a major loss!’
At the shows’s outset, though, they called up Antonio Freeman and i think someone else – i have it muted and the Closed Captioning sometimes covers names. Obviously, i dont care who the names are.
20 minutes to Melrose, yeah!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Cowherd’s a douche but semi-entertaining
March 4th, 2008 at 10:49 AM
@benji- sportscenter/ESPN2/ESPN Classic/ESPNU special 1PM-3AM ET
FTFY..
March 4th, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Yeah, I agree, I dont think we need to tear down the man just yet, although Roman makes pretty valid points. Part of my problem (forgetting the gambling losses) I had with him and its not even really him per se was the Berman, King and Madden slob jobs the guy would get. Seriously, I thought these guys were supposed to be “professionals.” I long for my father’s generation in broadcasting. For those of you that still get to hear Vin Scully, hat tip to you my friends! I got Jon Sterling and Suzyn Waldman pickle tickling Derek Jeter for 162 games a season and Michael Kay editorializing every pitch.
But for my money, that game after his dad died, 400 yds and like 4 tds and I swear one of those TDs was made with only the WRs fingertips on the nose of the ball, defined him as person as well as QB. I agree Benji, chocked up is an understatement. His piece o’ ass wife
March 4th, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Butters probably just captured how the entire state of Wisconsin is feeling.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Yeah that should be read we should not forget his piece o’ass wife
March 4th, 2008 at 10:57 AM
It sucks but a lot of football people think that Rodgers is the real deal and if he is there’s no reason to expect they can’t take the North again with all of their young talent on both sides of the ball
People can talk shit about the media adoration (which isn’t Favre’s fault) and the interceptions (although that style lead to many more spectacular plays than bad ones) but when you read back on the history of the Packers after Lombardi left he was as important to turning around a sports team than anyone else I can think of over the past 20 years this side of Jordan (but the Bulls were still located in Chicago, not Green Bay where people assumed football would die after free agency)
March 4th, 2008 at 10:59 AM
+1 Gonzo…If TBL was a more malevolent man jayjaib would lose commenting privelages
March 4th, 2008 at 11:02 AM
when i was in 3rd grade, my best friend and only other kid near my age in my neighborhood moved away to a different state. it was extremely sad. this is much worse.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:08 AM
@ OQTW I take it you dislike Cowherd
March 4th, 2008 at 11:10 AM
As a Bears fan I always hated going up against him (even though we swept the Pack this past season….zing) but I always had a lot of respect for how he played the game. Bears-Packers won’t feel quite the same for a while without #4 running around like an idiot. I hope he enjoys the well deserved relaxation with that hot wife.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:13 AM
@ jayjaib: Never listened a day in my life but I’m sure a kind commentor or even TBL could link you to what I am alluding too.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Moss was never coming to Green Bay to play with Favre for one season in all likelihood (unless Ted was going to spend $15 million or something on him)…I’m sick of this story already (I’ve heard that’s what ESPN Radio is saying)
March 4th, 2008 at 11:19 AM
“What the hell is Brett Favre doing here?”
“I’m in town to play the Dolphins ya dumbass..”
March 4th, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Hello 6-10
March 4th, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Still waiting for “A Very Special Monday Morning Quarterback: Tuesday Edition”
March 4th, 2008 at 12:28 PM
[...] Brett Favre Set to Retire (The Big Lead) – Finally. How long before the first Favre comeback story breaks? [...]
March 4th, 2008 at 1:05 PM
The Lions applaud the retirement of Brett Favre.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Glass Yard, they may applaud but Matt Millen is still employed by the team so it is only a mild applause.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Thank god. The national nightmare of “will he play or retire” saga is finally over.
John Madden weeps tears of turkey drums.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:43 PM
as a bears fan i am happy as hell…but he was awesome.