Brett Favre through the years

It’s a Hall of Fame hug as defensive end Reggie White and Brett Favre embrace after defeating the Carolina Panthers, 30-13, in the NFC championship game to advance to Super Bowl XXXI.   (Morry Gash / Associated Press)

Brett Favre consoles San Francisco quarterback Steve Young after the Packers defeated the 49ers, 23-10, in the NFC championship game to advance to Super Bowl XXXII.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Denver’s blitzing defense left Brett Favre reeling in Super Bowl XXXII, when the Broncos won the first of back-to-back NFL championships with a 31-24 victory over Green Bay.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Brett Favre leaves the field with his wife, Deanna, after the Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders, 41-7, the day after his father passed away in 2003.   (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, himself just recently retired, pressures Brett Favre last season when the Packers won big, 35-13, at New York.  (Bill Kostroun / Associated Press)

Brett Favre celebrates a second-half touchdown in Green Bay’s 42-20 victory over Seattle last season.   (Mike Roemer / Associated Press)

Brett Favre promised himself beforehand that he wouldn’t get emotional when announcing his retirement. But the future Hall of Fame quarterback had to pause a few times to collect himself during this March 6 news conference at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.   (Cory Dellenbach / Associated Press)