"... Being ‘Brett Favre’ got hard to live up to"

Brett Favre addressed the public today, March 6, two days after the official story broke about his decision to retire.

As Favre walked up to the conference table in typical Favre fashion-- jeans and a casual button-down shirt-- he sat down and spoke into the microphone with a quivering voice "I believe you all know why we're here."

An obviously emotional Favre struggled through his official statement of announcing his retirement. Thanking God, his wife, his family, the Packers organization. Ending a 17 year career in which he broke every major passing record while playing in the NFL's smallest market. "I still can play," said Favre "I just don’t want to. It's been a great career for me, but it's over."

Favre left a voicemail to ESPN's Chris Mortenson Tuesday morning saying that he was "mentally tired" when giving his reason as to why he would not be returning for an 18th NFL season.

"I thought about wearing a suit." He said when asked about his choice of clothing for his formal goodbye to the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. "I thought about shaving. But what you see is what you get."

Favre was originally draft 33rd overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991 and only threw five passes for the franchise before, then Packers GM, Ron Wolf traded the teams first round draft pick for the talented, but raw QB out of Southern Miss. 16 years later it is considered one of the greatest trades/steals in sports history. “I hope that with every penny they've spent on me, they know it was money well spent," he said. "It wasn't about the money or fame or records. I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things. It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments,” displaying his character and love towards the franchise that risked a lot on him, but got more in return.

Once Favre gained his composure at the table he joke about all the rumors and videos being played over all the sports and news networks; “I found out what it will be like to die”

Favre’s legendary play revived the Green Bay franchise that had not won a playoff game in a decade and more importantly hadn’t won a Super Bowl since they won in 1967. Over the next 16 years Favre got the Pack to the playoffs 11 times, made it to 4 NFC championship games and won a Super Bowl in 1996 but also lost Super Bowl XXXII in 1997 to John Elway and the Denver Broncos.

Favre also stands as not just the NFLs only 3-time MVP; he also won the awards consecutively (1995-1997). “One play-one season- doesn’t define me.” Answered Favre to the question on many fans minds about why he would want his legacy to end with an interception in the 2007 NFC Championship game.

When asked if this retirement was definite and not like Michael Jordan’s famous “99.9% done” speech, he replied “I’ve questioned my decision. I think it’s the right one. There’s nothing that [the Packers] can say or do that can change that.” But as another reason for his “sudden” retirement Favre added that ““I’m no different than most people. I can act a part. But being ‘Brett Favre’ got hard to live up to”

Brett appeared extremely humbled to be able to sit and announce his retirement from professional football. “I think most people would kill for the opportunity to play just one game in the NFL,” he said “I had thousands and thousands.”

“I hope my legacy is a lot more than [the records.] If I have to be remembered for the statistics then I did something wrong.” Trust us Brett. You will be remembered for far more than just your statistics. You will be remembered as the 30+ year-old kid who reminded us why we love to play the game.