"I know there have been comments and issues in the press about why I'm leaving, whether Ted and Mike did enough to convince me stay, none of those things have anything to do with me retiring. And that's from the heart."

"it's been a great career for me and it's over ... There's only one way for me to play the game and that's 100%. That's what Mike and I talked about the other night. ... I will wonder if I made the wrong decision. I'm sure on Sundays, I'll say I could be doing that, I should be doing that. ... I will miss it. But I just don't think I can give anything else."

"I have no regrets. I only knew how to play the game one way."

"Something told me this time not to come back."

"I can play, but I'm not up to the challenge anymore."

"All good things must come to an end. I look forward to whatever the future may hold for me."

Congratulations are due to Favre for his decision. I occasionally recoil at the fawning coverage, but it's well deserved that he's known for his courage on the field, playing through pain to make every start. Making a tough call like this one, being honest about his motivation after a seemingly great year, shows a similar toughness.