Updated: August 4, 2010, 1:11 PM ET
Brett Favre says he will play if healthy
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Brett Favre Will Play If Healthy
Ed Werder on his discussion with Brett Favre about playing this season
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Brett Favre Will Play If Healthy
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Mortensen Not Surprised By Brett Favre News
Dungy Talks Favre, Vick And Peyton
Brett Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday that he has not made any decision about returning to play for the Minnesota Vikings this season and says he will play if healthy.
Favre's agent, Bus Cook, said in a statement to the NFL Network on Wednesday that the quarterback has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews next week and will know more at that time. Andrews performed surgery on Favre's ankle in May.
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AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
Brett Favre tossed a football around with high school players in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday.
Favre denied sending text messages to Vikings teammates and club officials that might have indicated he had decided to retire.
Favre told ESPN that he has decided to play for Minnesota in 2010 if his surgically repaired ankle heals but said the fact he has not been able to decide his future reflects his level of concern about regaining his health.
He hurt his left ankle in the NFC Championship Game loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Favre responded to a Star Tribune report that the Vikings were prepared to offer him more money for the 2010 season if he would play, insisting that his salary is not a factor in the decision. "It's not about money," he said.
Favre told ESPN he has a time frame in mind and said he has spoken to the Vikings to make them aware of the approximate date when he will make his decision. He declined to reveal that information to ESPN, however.
"As far as Brett is concerned, in spite of reports to the contrary, Brett's situation has nothing to do with his contract, but everything to do with his health and ability to contribute to that team and play at a level that he has been accustomed to playing over the years," Cook told the NFL Network.
The Brian Kenny Show
Saints S Darren Sharper explains why he thinks Brett Favre will be back and talks about his team's NFC title game win over Favre's Vikings.
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Favre was at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg Wednesday, lightly tossing a football with players in warmups. He then helped as the players went through drills.
Favre has made regular appearances at Oak Grove in the summer for several years, working out with players during informal drills as he prepared for the upcoming season.
According to multiple reports Tuesday, Favre informed the Vikings he would not return to Minnesota for a second season. Favre sent text messages to teammates saying, "This is it," league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The Star Tribune reported that the Vikings have offered to increase Favre's salary to $16 million guaranteed -- $3 million more than he was scheduled to make this season, plus another $4 million in incentives that could potentially pay Favre $20 million total for the 2010 season.
On Tuesday, Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said Favre texted his teammates and told them he plans to retire. Shiancoe added he did not receive any direct messages from Favre, but learned of the texts from several teammates.
Favre Retiring Again?
If Brett Favre does retire, he will leave the NFL holding several passing records and three NFL MVP awards. The 11-time Pro Bowler also has 18 straight 3,000-yard seasons and 12 consecutive years of 20 or more TD passes.
Consecutive starts
Favre 285
Peyton Manning 192
Pass yards
Favre 69,329
Dan Marino 61,361
TD passes
Favre 497
Marino 420
Completions
Favre 6,083
Marino 4,967
Interceptions
Favre 317
George Blanda 277
"He told a couple guys on our team he's going to retire," Shiancoe said after practice on Tuesday. "He hasn't told me yet. I'm going to check my phone right now, but it hasn't been said publicly yet so I don't know what to believe."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday during a visit to Ravens camp that he was taking a "wait and hear" approach to the latest twist in the Favre saga.
"We haven't heard from Brett, so we're all reacting to media reports," Goodell said. "So I think I'd wait and hear what Brett has to say."
Goodell said that Favre is "great for our game," but wanted the three-time NFL MVP to make the best decision for himself, not the NFL.
"I think we all love to see him play, but we want him to do what's best for him at the end of the day," Goodell said.
After the Vikings completed a morning practice Tuesday, coach Brad Childress would not confirm Favre's status with the team and called it a "fluid situation." He told reporters that he had not heard from Favre directly about the decision, but said he could have a message waiting for him from the quarterback.
With Favre, of course, nothing is ever necessarily final after 19 NFL seasons. He told the Vikings last year he wouldn't play, but changed his mind and joined them immediately after they broke training camp, with Childress even driving to the airport to pick him up. Camp this year ends on Aug. 12.
Favre has waffled on retiring every summer since 2002. It led to an ugly parting with the Packers that got him traded from Green Bay to the Jets in 2008. After a so-so season in New York, he announced his retirement in early 2009 for the second time, then reconsidered and signed with the Vikings.
He had one of his best seasons last year, with career bests in completion percentage (68.4), quarterback rating (107.2) and fewest interceptions (7), while throwing for 33 TDs and 4,202 yards to lead the Vikings to an NFC North title.
Brett Favre says he will play if healthy
EmailPrintComments
1450
ESPN.com news services
Brett Favre Will Play If Healthy
Ed Werder on his discussion with Brett Favre about playing this season
Tags: NFL, Minnesota Vikings, Brett Favre
Learn More » Report a bug » Feedback »
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Brett Favre Will Play If Healthy
League Expects Brett Favre To Play
Mortensen Not Surprised By Brett Favre News
Dungy Talks Favre, Vick And Peyton
Brett Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday that he has not made any decision about returning to play for the Minnesota Vikings this season and says he will play if healthy.
Favre's agent, Bus Cook, said in a statement to the NFL Network on Wednesday that the quarterback has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews next week and will know more at that time. Andrews performed surgery on Favre's ankle in May.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
Brett Favre tossed a football around with high school players in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday.
Favre denied sending text messages to Vikings teammates and club officials that might have indicated he had decided to retire.
Favre told ESPN that he has decided to play for Minnesota in 2010 if his surgically repaired ankle heals but said the fact he has not been able to decide his future reflects his level of concern about regaining his health.
He hurt his left ankle in the NFC Championship Game loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Favre responded to a Star Tribune report that the Vikings were prepared to offer him more money for the 2010 season if he would play, insisting that his salary is not a factor in the decision. "It's not about money," he said.
Favre told ESPN he has a time frame in mind and said he has spoken to the Vikings to make them aware of the approximate date when he will make his decision. He declined to reveal that information to ESPN, however.
"As far as Brett is concerned, in spite of reports to the contrary, Brett's situation has nothing to do with his contract, but everything to do with his health and ability to contribute to that team and play at a level that he has been accustomed to playing over the years," Cook told the NFL Network.
The Brian Kenny Show
Saints S Darren Sharper explains why he thinks Brett Favre will be back and talks about his team's NFC title game win over Favre's Vikings.
More Podcasts »
Favre was at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg Wednesday, lightly tossing a football with players in warmups. He then helped as the players went through drills.
Favre has made regular appearances at Oak Grove in the summer for several years, working out with players during informal drills as he prepared for the upcoming season.
According to multiple reports Tuesday, Favre informed the Vikings he would not return to Minnesota for a second season. Favre sent text messages to teammates saying, "This is it," league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The Star Tribune reported that the Vikings have offered to increase Favre's salary to $16 million guaranteed -- $3 million more than he was scheduled to make this season, plus another $4 million in incentives that could potentially pay Favre $20 million total for the 2010 season.
On Tuesday, Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said Favre texted his teammates and told them he plans to retire. Shiancoe added he did not receive any direct messages from Favre, but learned of the texts from several teammates.
Favre Retiring Again?
If Brett Favre does retire, he will leave the NFL holding several passing records and three NFL MVP awards. The 11-time Pro Bowler also has 18 straight 3,000-yard seasons and 12 consecutive years of 20 or more TD passes.
Consecutive starts
Favre 285
Peyton Manning 192
Pass yards
Favre 69,329
Dan Marino 61,361
TD passes
Favre 497
Marino 420
Completions
Favre 6,083
Marino 4,967
Interceptions
Favre 317
George Blanda 277
"He told a couple guys on our team he's going to retire," Shiancoe said after practice on Tuesday. "He hasn't told me yet. I'm going to check my phone right now, but it hasn't been said publicly yet so I don't know what to believe."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday during a visit to Ravens camp that he was taking a "wait and hear" approach to the latest twist in the Favre saga.
"We haven't heard from Brett, so we're all reacting to media reports," Goodell said. "So I think I'd wait and hear what Brett has to say."
Goodell said that Favre is "great for our game," but wanted the three-time NFL MVP to make the best decision for himself, not the NFL.
"I think we all love to see him play, but we want him to do what's best for him at the end of the day," Goodell said.
After the Vikings completed a morning practice Tuesday, coach Brad Childress would not confirm Favre's status with the team and called it a "fluid situation." He told reporters that he had not heard from Favre directly about the decision, but said he could have a message waiting for him from the quarterback.
With Favre, of course, nothing is ever necessarily final after 19 NFL seasons. He told the Vikings last year he wouldn't play, but changed his mind and joined them immediately after they broke training camp, with Childress even driving to the airport to pick him up. Camp this year ends on Aug. 12.
Favre has waffled on retiring every summer since 2002. It led to an ugly parting with the Packers that got him traded from Green Bay to the Jets in 2008. After a so-so season in New York, he announced his retirement in early 2009 for the second time, then reconsidered and signed with the Vikings.
He had one of his best seasons last year, with career bests in completion percentage (68.4), quarterback rating (107.2) and fewest interceptions (7), while throwing for 33 TDs and 4,202 yards to lead the Vikings to an NFC North title.
