Favre's No. 4 Still Will Be Retired by Packers... Sometime

The Green Bay Packers still will retire Brett Favre's jersey No. 4 at some point in the future, team officials said at a news conference today.

A jersey retirement ceremony had been scheduled for the Packers' opening game of the regular season, but that has been postponed indefinitely as Favre prepares to resume his playing career with the New York Jets.

Team president Mark Murphy, General Manager Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy spoke to reporters today in Green Bay. Their general message was that they regretted having to trade a player of Favre's stature but they were trying to do what was best for the franchise throughout the long ordeal.

Thompson said it is difficult to know he will be remembered as the general manager who traded Favre out of Green Bay, and when he received the paperwork for Wednesday night's deal with the Jets he almost wanted someone else to sign it.

McCarthy reiterated that he hadn't felt throughout the process that Favre actually would play this season.

Murphy said he remained supportive of the decisions made by Thompson and McCarthy. Murphy called it a "bittersweet time," saying it was a relief to have closure but tough to trade a player of Favre's stature.

Packers officials left open the possibility of Favre having some sort of relationship with the franchise after he retires, perhaps doing some sort of work during training camps.

By Mark Maske |  August 7, 2008; 3:33 PM ET  | Category:  Packers
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