38-year-old Favre revealed his retirement two days ago but spoke for the first time of his decision at a television news conference at the Green Bay Packers’ home of Lambeau Field.

Favre could not hold back the tears as he took to the podium at the ground where he has rewritten the record books with his continued excellence over the past 17 season.

After a couple of expected retirements of the past few years, this time Favre was expected to come back for an 18th season after leading the youngest team in the NFL to within a game of the Super Bowl.

However, after agonising of the decision, Favre says he can go on no longer and has brought the curtain down on a glittering career which has seem him clean up every quarterback record worth having.

“As they say, all good things must come to an end, I look forward to whatever future may hold,” Favre said as he choked back the tears.

“It’s been a great career, it’s over.

“I’ve given everything I possibly can give to this organisation, to the game of football and I don’t think I’ve anything left to give.

“I know I can play but I don’t think I want to.

“I’m not up to the challenge anymore. I can play, but I’m not up to the challenge. You can’t just show up and play for three hours on a Sunday.”

The future Hall of Famer led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory and is the only player in NFL history to win three MVP awards.

He also rewrote the record books for a quarterback by starting 253 consecutive regular-season games despite taking all the knocks an NFL quarterback gets week-in, week-out.

Favre won a record 160 games as a quarterback, while he leaves after setting new benchmarks for touchdown passes (442), passing yards (61,655), pass completions (5,377) and games with at least three touchdown passes (63).

Modest to the very end, Favre paid tribute to his team-mates over the years for helping him set as many records as he did.

“I’d like to thank the Packers for giving me the opportunity. I hope that every penny they spent on me they know was money well-spent.”

“It wasn’t about the money or fame or records.

“I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things. It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments.”

REF: www.skysports.com