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Packers Will Retire Favre's Jersey

Associated Press

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From Chris Jenkins of The Associated Press:

The Green Bay Packers will retire Brett Favre’s No. 4 jersey at some point, and team president and CEO Mark Murphy envisions a day when Favre is once again part of the family.

But given the messy divorce between Favre and the Packers last year, the reconciliation—and the ceremony—probably won’t happen this year.

“I don’t anticipate it this season,” Murphy said Saturday, speaking to reporters at the team’s annual “fan fest” at Lambeau Field. “Obviously we will do it. We’ve made that commitment. He deserves to have his number retired. I just think both sides need some time.”

Besides, Murphy joked, who’s to say Favre won’t change his mind yet again?

“Quite honestly, from a practical standpoint, we had to cancel one retirement ceremony already,” Murphy said, laughing. “I think it’s smart to make sure that he is retired, rather than going through a situation like that again.”

All kidding and past acrimony aside, Murphy said Favre will be welcomed back when both sides decide that the time is right.

“He’ll be a member of our family long-term,” Murphy said. “Most players go through a period of time and I think when you’re away from it for a while, I think it’ll be meaningful for him and for us when he does come back.”

Favre announced his retirement from the Packers last March, but continued to deliberate on his football future in private. He told team officials he wanted to come back a few weeks after announcing his retirement, and they were prepared to take him back—only to have him change his mind again and stay retired.

By the time Favre had his mind firmly set on a comeback in July, Packers management had decided to move forward without him. Tensions mounted and turned the Packers’ training camp into a circus, and Favre was traded to the New York Jets.

Favre got off to a rousing start with his new team but faltered down the stretch and the Jets missed the playoffs. He retired again in February.

Assuming Favre really stays retired this time, there’s a possibility that a future reconciliation with the Packers could include a financial arrangement.

In the middle of Favre’s unretirement saga, the Packers offered him a multimillion-dollar marketing deal—a move interpreted by some as a bribe for Favre to stay retired, a charge the team rebuked.

Favre turned it down at the time, but it was widely assumed that the two sides would reach a similar agreement once Favre retired for good.

“I think we’ll determine that with time,” Murphy said. “And obviously it can’t just be us, it’s got to be him. Both sides will look at it. But I think now is not the right time to have those discussions.”

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Scott
Mar 15, 2009
10:43 AM

I grew up in Green Bay and am a diehard fan. I don't take either side in this, but I do think it's silly that they have to wait a year or longer and "take some time". Really? Seriously? Come on guys, be mature about this and get this finalized week 1 of the season, like you were going to do last year. I was at that Viking game and it sure would've been cool to see Favre's #4 retired like originally planned. Let's all act like adults for once, and get that jersey retired asap - so we all can move on.......... to #12.

T. Chapman
Mar 15, 2009
11:18 AM

I can't believe we are still talking about this guy. Get over it all ready. Who cares if he plays again, he is no longer a factor, but a coaches nightmare, ask Mangenius.

qotsa1
Mar 15, 2009
11:54 AM

I think the Packer organization is pretty much over the Favre incident and would retire his jersey when Brett was ready. But judging from his last interview Favre still has some resentmet toward the organization and specifically Ted Thompson.

Brett(NJ)
Mar 15, 2009
11:55 AM

Scott:

We're not waiting on anyone but Favre to make a decision, the Packers front office has already made up their mind and plan on retiring Favre's number. It's Favre who "needs some time", he needs to suck it up, man up, and put his hatred for Ted Thompson behind him so we can retire his jersey. I expect to hear quite a bit of boos when he comes back to Lambeau, so maybe he SHOULD wait a couple of years and let time heal Packer fans like myselve's wounds.

Scott
Mar 15, 2009
11:57 AM

I'm a Packer fan 1st., Favre fan somewhere after that... I moved on to #12, 3 minutes after Favre's FIRST retirement speech.

Brett(NJ)
Mar 15, 2009
11:57 AM

And for the record, I moved onto #12 last summer. The people have haven't yet, never will and that's a damn shame.

Brett(NJ)
Mar 15, 2009
11:58 AM

who haven't yet*

Dan at Marquette University
Mar 15, 2009
12:43 PM

I'm over it the entire saga now (and was all of last season) but I agree with Murphy and the Packers for giving this at least one more year to cool down. There's still fans who are really out to get Favre and the more time that passes between now and the jersey retirement, the more they will realize what Favre contributed to the organization.

I'm thrilled with Aaron as my QB and thankful to have had the privilege of watching Favre for all of my football life until that point. I'll look forward to being at Lambeau Field to give Favre the ovation he deserves for his work as a Packer, whenever that day comes.

gbjoe
Mar 15, 2009
02:27 PM

scott i agree i moved on 1 minute after his retirement speech, i mean all he did was bust his ass for the packers for 16 years and give packer fans many exciting moments 4 nfc championship games and 2 superbowls. he will not get his number retired as long as thompson is gm weather thats brett or teddy or both who knows. i think rodgers played great last year for a first year starter but what if he goes down? he will not go 16 years without missing a game that just does not happen. we better hope teddy boys great 2nd round pick brohm steps it up cause the midget from lsu the 7th round pick aint gonna cut it, they realy need a veteran backup but that would mean signing a free agent and we all know teddy boy will not do that.

Mr.Murder
Mar 15, 2009
03:42 PM

They didn't award no.4 to the back up kicker as a sign of Ted's appreciation?

Dude
Mar 15, 2009
05:22 PM

You guys absolutely crack me up!! Will you ever stop talking about this?? Sure is good to hear you're FINALLY OVER the whole SAGA! Nice to hear we can finally move on....

gbjoe
Mar 15, 2009
05:22 PM

i cant wait till the draft to see how many times teddy trades down, i think he has made a rule that the packers have to be the youngest team in the league as long as he is gm. but the minute jennings bolts for another team the packer brass better can teddy boy.

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