Veteran NFL quarterback Brett Favre has again announced his retirement, saying he holds no regrets despite a botched third comeback attempt.
The 41-year-old sat out the Minnesota Vikings' season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday with concussion, watching from the bench as third-string rookie Joe Webb struggled in his place.
It was an anti-climactic end to Favre's storied 20-year career, which includes three MVP awards, a 1997 Super Bowl ring and record numbers of victories (186), yards passing (71,838), touchdown passes (508) and interceptions (336).
But his last season was his worst by far, on both professional and personal levels.
Favre tossed 19 interceptions this season for a career-low passer rating of 69.9, leading the Vikings to last place in the NFC North and influencing the mid-season firing of head coach Brad Childress.
His record streak of 297 regular season starts was ended by injury, a recurring theme over the course of his season, as was the NFL investigation into allegations he sent lewd photographs and messages to a New York Jets employee during the 2008/09 season.
The league handed Favre a US$50,000 fine for failing to co-operate in the investigation, though it stopped short of finding the quarterback guilty due to a lack of evidence.
But Favre, who retired from the Green Bay Packers in 2008 and again with the Jets one year later, says he has no qualms about calling time on his career.
"It's time, I mean, I know it's time," Favre told reporters after Sunday's game.
"I'm sure throughout this year, the comment has been made that, 'we'll wait and see in August or September' and that's fine. It's time."
"And that's okay, it is. I hold no regrets. I can't think of too many players offhand that can walk away and say that. Individually and from a team standpoint, it was way more than I ever dreamed of."
"It's been a wonderful experience for me. This year did not work out the way we would have hoped, but that's football. I don't regret coming back. I enjoyed my experience here. One game, one season, does not define me."
"There'll be people saying, 'you know, it's a shame he went out that way'."
"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity. By the grace of God I got a chance to play this game and play it at a high level."
"I hope that people admired the way I played, my passion for it, because I hold no regrets."