Brett Favre Files NFL Retirement Papers - Again

Brett Favre is following through on his vow to finally end his career after 20 seasons, filing his retirement papers with the NFL.

League spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed Monday that the Minnesota quarterback had filed his retirement papers.

The 41-year-old Favre has filed retirement papers previously, of course, and could request reinstatement at any time. He said he was done in 2008 with the Packers and 2009 with the Jets, only to join the Vikings and play two more years.
 
Does Favre's filing the retirement papers mean there's no chance of another flip-flop?

"Of course not," writes CBSSports.com's Andy Benoit. "Favre filed his papers in February 2009 but was granted reinstatement so that he could join the Vikings. After his tearful 2008 farewell press conference in Green Bay, however, Favre did not file the papers."

"The difference between this retirement and the previous two is that Favre is 41 and coming off an injury-and scandal-plagued campaign. But who knows, maybe he'll change his outlook and view that as 'unfinished business' come August," Benoit writes.

After an age-defying performance last season, Favre slumped badly in 2010 and suffered a slew of injuries. His sprained throwing shoulder ended his record streak of 297 straight regular-season games started, and later he had a concussion.

In 2009, Favre told the team on the eve of training camp that he was going to stay retired only to return the Tuesday after their first preseason game.

That season became one of the best of his career, with Favre leading the Vikings to the brink of the Super Bowl while matching a career high for touchdowns (33) and throwing a career low 7 interceptions.

But the 2010 season was different, as the Vikings bumbled to a 6-10 record with Favre putting up 19 interceptions to only 11 touchdowns.