Brett Favre is a retired NFL quarterback. He played the 2008 season with the Jets, after playing 16 consecutive NFL seasons for the Packers. Favre announced his second retirement from the league in 2009, but subsequent talks with the Vikings raised hopes among fans for a brief hiatus instead.

On June 8, 2009, Favre was reportedly given an ultimatum by the Vikings to decide by the end of the week whether or not he would emerge from retirement.

According to two sources close to ESPN, quarterback Brett Favre Favre underwent arthroscopic surgery on his passing shoulder in late May of 2009. His agent would not confirm or deny the report. While many speculate the the surgery is an indicator that he will play another season in the NFL, reports state that he is not throwing at 100% and may stay retired unless he makes significant progress.

Born in Gulfport, Mississippi, Favre attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he was able to get a full scholarship to play quarterback. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, but coach Jerry Glanville refused to play Favre. A year later, he was traded to play as the second-string quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. In 1992, Favre, replaced starter Don Majkowsk in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Since that point, Favre did not miss a start for the rest of his career.

As a starter, Favre racked up 61,655 passing yards, with a quarterback rating 85.7, and 442 touchdowns. Favre also won a championship at Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.

Though Favre acknowledged that he was not "100% committed" to playing football when he retired in March of 2008, he expressed having had similar concerns in prior seasons. According to Favre's representation, he may have retired after being pressured by the Green Bay Packers to make a decision.ESPN.com: Favre seeks unconditional release from Packers (July 11, 2008)

In a July 2008 interview with the FOX News Channel, Favre agreed he was "100% certain" that he wanted to play football again, even if he had to play for a team other than the Packers.FOXNews.com: Brett Favre on His Packer Replacement and Playing Again (July 16, 2008)

Favre announced his retirement from football on March 4, 2008. In July 2008, he applied for reinstatement. The Packers organization, after having prepared throughout the previous months for former backup Aaron Rodgers to take over as starting quarterback, announced that Favre would have to take a secondary position if he were to return.ESPN.com: Favre seeks unconditional release from Packers (July 11, 2008) Favre was also offered a marketing deal, which would have paid him $20 million over 10 years, but would require him to stay retired and become an associate with the Packers organization.

Despite these considerations, Favre decided to return to Green Bay for training camp with the Packers, initially desiring to compete for the starting quarterback position.ESPN.com: Packers to open up QB job between Rodgers and Favre (August 4, 2008) On August 6, the New York Jets acquired Brett Favre for an undisclosed draft pick.

In December of 2008, a source close to the Jets said Favre has a partial tear of the biceps tendon, which could require minor surgery.ESPN.com: Sources: Brett Favre Won't Need Major Shoulder Surgery In January of 2009, Favre reportedly told Jets management that "it may be time to look in a different direction," leading to speculation that he may retire again.ESPN.com: Report: Favre Told Jets to 'Look in Different Direction'

On January 8, 2009, Brett Favre publicly responded to critical comments made earlier in the month by teammate Thomas Jones. Favre stated, "As for Thomas, I have not seen the comments, To be honest, I am not worried about the comments, either. Was Thomas backed into a corner or in a bad mood when he said those things? I don't know, but ripping Thomas is not my nature."ESPN.com: Favre not bothered by comments (January 8, 2009)

On February 11, 2009, ESPN reported that Favre had made the decision to retire, telling his agent to tell the Jets he would not return for a second season with the team.'ESPN.com: Sources: Favre tells Jets he's retiring (February 11, 2009)

"Mike and Woody, as well as the entire organization, have been nothing short of outstanding. My teammates—Thomas and Kerry included—were a pleasure to play with. Eric [Mangini] could not have been any better. I enjoyed playing for him. My time with the Jets was short, but I'm honored to be given that chance."ESPN.com: Sources: Favre tells Jets he's retiring (February 11, 2009)