A page on Packers.com set the rumor mill in motion. On a page that was labeled as breaking news, a headline read: "Favre to retire." Underneath a picture of Favre, there was a line that read: "Packers quarterback Brett Favre has announced that he will retire."
The page contained the words "Due to the magnitude of today's Packers news, Packers.com is offering this Breaking News page in lieu of our normal Packers.com site."
But it all was a mistake, according to a Packers spokesperson, and there is no truth that Favre has made his decision. Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that Favre has not made a decision and that no announcement was imminent.
"There's nothing to it," Packers director of public relations Jeff Blumb said about Favre retiring. "The people who handle our website set up mock pages. It's as simple as that. ... A third party was preparing something in case (Favre's retirement) happened. They've done that the last five years."
Blumb said the people who maintain Packers.com are not official employees of the organization but "work in our direction ultimately."
The timing of the Favre false alarm seemed particularly strange in light of new Packers president Mark Murphy's comments about Favre at a Milwaukee Press Club luncheon Wednesday. Murphy said, "My guess is he's going to come back. The team has gotten better around him and is in a position to really do great things next year."
John Dorsey, the Packers' director of college scouting, also denied the accuracy of the website's announcement of Favre's retirement, saying it was "not legit."
Favre, 38, had one of his best seasons in 2008. He completed 356-of-535 passes (66.5 percent) for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 15 interceptions. Along the way, he broke Hall of Famer Dan Marino's record for touchdown passes and passing yards. Favre has thrown 442 touchdown passes and has 61,655 passing yards.
He also continued one of the most remarkable streaks in NFL history by extending his number of consecutive starts to 253 games -- 275 including playoffs.
The Packers were one of the 2007 season's biggest surprises as they went 13-3, won the NFC North and advanced to the NFC championship game, where they lost at home to the Giants, 23-20, in overtime. It could have been a fitting climax to a superb career if Favre had led the Packers to Super Bowl 42. Instead, his interception in overtime led to Lawrence Tynes' game-winning field goal for the Giants.
If Favre were to retire, the Packers would go into the 2008 season with Aaron Rodgers as the starter -- unless they traded for a veteran who they felt would give them a better chance to win. Rodgers has played sparingly in three years as Favre's backup, but he did perform well during a regular-season game in Dallas last season when Favre left because of an injury.
The question of whether Favre will be back has been an annual rite of spring the last several years. He might not wait until this spring to make his decision, but it won't be today.
Packers.com accidently says Favre retires
Favre retiring?
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