Favre to retire

Brett Favre has decided to retire from the NFL, the NFL Network is reporting this morning.

Favre, 38, told Packers officials of his decision on Monday night, the network reported.

Favre played 17 seasons, 16 with Green Bay. He set NFL records for consecutive starts in the regular season (253), including playoffs (275), touchdowns (442) and passing yards (61,655).

In his final season, he passed for 28 touchdowns, 4,155 yards and took the Packers to the NFC Championship game and was voted to the Pro Bowl.

"He's a great player, 17 years ... he's going out on top,'' Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films, said this morning on NFL Network.

"To me, it's not really the records that he takes with him but it's the stories that he leaves behind. And what a narrative."

The following statement is posted on the Green Bay Packers website this morning:

"STATEMENT FROM PACKERS GENERAL MANAGER TED THOMPSON:

Brett Favre has informed us of his intention to retire from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. He has had one of the greatest careers in the history of the National Football League, and he is able to walk away from the game on his own terms - not many players are able to do that.

"The Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. He has given Packers fans 16 years of wonderful memories, a Super Bowl championship among them, that will live on forever. Brett's many accomplishments on the field are legendary. He leaves the game holding virtually every career passing record, plus his consecutive starts streak, which may never be duplicated.

"The uniqueness of Brett Favre - his personality, charisma and love of the game - undoubtedly will leave him as one of the enduring figures in NFL history.

"Details of Brett Favre's availability to discuss his decision are still to be determined, and will be announced once set."