Brett Favre tearfully told the world Thursday what the Green Bay Packers made public two days ago: he’s retired.
“I know I can play but I don’t think I want to,” the quarterback said at an emotional news conference at Lambeau Field. “It’s been a great career for me, but it’s over.”
Favre was himself – emotional and informal.
He wore an untucked collared shirt, blue jeans and several days’ worth of stubble. After 275 straight starts, Favre said he was convinced he could still play on Sundays, but had lost his passion to practice and prepare.
Favre dominated the day as free-agent signings continued to slow after the flurry of the first weekend.
Jevon Kearse, who had his best seasons in Tennessee, agreed to rejoin the Titans, who will use him primarily as a situational pass rusher. He was released by Philadelphia, which cut linebacker Takeo Spikes on Thursday.
The 31-year-old Kearse had 14 1/2 sacks as a rookie with the Titans in 1999 and helped lead them to the Super Bowl. He was in double figures in sacks the next two seasons, but has been plagued by injuries since and missed all but two games last season because of a knee injury.
Spikes, also 31, was obtained last year in a trade with Buffalo. He’s a two-time Pro Bowl player who was second on the Eagles with 139 tackles. The move saves Philadelphia $5 million in cap room.
The New York Jets signed fullback Tony Richardson, who played the last two seasons in Minnesota after 11 years in Kansas City. He was voted to his third Pro Bowl with the Vikings last season.
New England, which lost cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Randall Gay to free agency, signed two defensive backs – cornerback Lewis Sanders, who played for Atlanta last season and safety Tank Williams, who was with Minnesota. Sanders is an eight-year veteran and Williams a six-year man.
Denver signed linebacker Boss Bailey, uniting him with his brother, star cornerback Champ Bailey. Boss Bailey spent his first five seasons in Detroit.
In other moves Thursday:
-Jacksonville re-signed offensive lineman Maurice Williams. A starter for six years and a backup last season, he will compete with Dennis Norman and Uche Nwaneri for a starting guard spot.
-Baltimore agreed to terms with special-teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo, a former Bear. Ayanbadejo agreed to a four-year contract worth $4.9 million, including a $1.9 million signing bonus.
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