Brett Favre says that he loved the NFL but that the game took a physical toll and he wont return, even though league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the St. Louis Rams reached out to his agent. Its flattering, but you know theres no way Im going to do that, Favre said in an interview with Sports Talk 570 powered by ESPN in Washington. The Rams lost Sam Bradford to season-ending knee surgery. Favre wouldnt say which team or teams reached out to his agent, Bus Cook, but the 44-year-old made it clear that he is enjoying spending time with his family -- including his 3-year-old grandson -- and doesnt feel physically able to compete in the NFL. In fact, when asked about concussions, he expressed fear that he has been affected. I dont remember my daughter playing soccer, playing youth soccer, one summer, he said. I dont remember that. I got a pretty good memory, and I have a tendency like we all do to say, Where are my glasses? and theyre on your head. This was pretty shocking to me that I couldnt remember my daughter playing youth soccer, just one summer, I think. I remember her playing basketball, I remember her playing volleyball, so I kind of think maybe she only played a game or two. I think she played eight. So thats a little bit scary to me. For the first time in 44 years, that put a little fear in me. He said he has considered seeing a doctor about the issue but doesnt know how much can be done at this point. He said he tries to stay in shape these days, not to play football but to be able to spend time with his family. He said its a challenge. I think after 20 years God only knows the toll, he said of football. Favre said he watches NFL games, but not many, and doesnt ever think he could play quarterback better at this point than the players on the field. This season he has been coaching a high school football team and may continue to do it, but he stressed hes not trying to just hang around the game. He said he enjoys teaching kids and its something to pass the time. He added that he doesnt feel the need to be around a pro team or be very involved in analysis of the NFL. The NFL was everything I thought it would be and then some. It was tough, it was fun, it was rewarding, he said. But I thought I didnt need to stick around, I didnt need to be a part of it to feel like I still had a purpose in life. Favre, who hasnt played in the league since 2010, said hes content with his life away from the game. My family took a backseat for 20 years. My 14-year-old daughter plays volleyball and is in the ninth grade and will be playing again the next three years. Ive taken trips that I never thought Id take. Ive gone to Yellowstone, and Ive gone to Glacier National Park. ... Weve gone down to the Bahamas, weve done things that really everybody in my family just kind of waited for. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only one player since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger has missed more than two NFL seasons and come back to play at age 40 or older: Steve DeBerg with the Atlanta Falcons in 1998 (age 44). The Rams ended up signing veteran quarterback Brady Quinn, who had been released by the New York Jets earlier this week, and brought back Austin Davis, who spent the 2012 season and the 2013 preseason with the team. Both quarterbacks will back up Kellen Clemens, who will get his first start this season when the Rams host the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. Davis, who, like Favre, played at the University of Southern Mississippi, holds most of the schools passing records. He also has Cook as his agent.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 19:18:27 +0000