Health, not not money, will determine whether Favre plays
NFL.com Wire Reports
Published: Aug. 4, 2010 at 10:52 a.m. Updated: Aug. 4, 2010 at 02:38 p.m.
Brett Favre said Wednesday that his health, not money, would determine if he returns to play for the Minnesota Vikings this season.
Earlier, Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci that Favre has not made a decision about retirement.
Favre briefly addressed cameras after he had warmed up with the Oak Grove High School football team in Hattiesburg, Miss., saying that he did not send text messages to Vikings teammates stating he was going to retire.
As for a return, Favre said, "If I'm healthy, sure."
A timetable for that, however, is "up for discussion."
The quarterback also addressed a Minnesota newspaper report that the Vikings have offered him additional financial incentives to return, saying, "It's not about the money."
A The Star Tribune report Wednesday said that the Vikings' pitch to bring back Favre includes an offer that could pay him $20 million -- $16 million guaranteed, plus incentives potentially worth another $4 million. That is $7 million more than Favre was scheduled to make this season.
Favre did not appear to be working out with the Oak Grove team, according to reports by NFL Network's Scott Hanson and The Associated Press. Instead, the quarterback simply ran onto the field and began lightly tossing the ball with players in warm-ups. Favre then helped an assistant coach as the players went through drills.
Favre has made regular appearances at Oak Grove during the summer for several years, working out with players during informal drills as he prepared for the upcoming NFL season.
Cook told Mariucci that any potential comeback hinges on Favre's health, not a healthier contract.
Cook told Mariucci: "As far as Brett is concerned, in spite of reports to the contrary, Brett's situation has nothing to do with his contract, but everything to do with his health and ability to contribute to that team and play at a level that he has been accustomed to playing over the years. Brett's ankle, which needed surgery since 2007, was surgically repaired this last spring by Dr. James Andrews. Until such time, Brett feels he can play at a level that he expects of himself, no decision will be made.
"Brett has an appointment to see Dr. Andrews next week and will know more at that time. Brett continues working every day, rehabbing his ankle and will see after his visit with Dr. Andrews what his status is at that time."
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Favre will play this season if his ankle allows it.
Bevell spoke on Wednesday after the Vikings' morning practice. He has been close friends with Favre dating back to when Bevell was the quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers.
Bevell says he has spoken to the 40-year-old quarterback recently, but not in the last 24 hours. He says it's been his understanding all along that if Favre's ankle heals well enough, Favre will return to play for the Vikings this season.
Favre's comments Wednesday came one day after reports said that he told Minnesota Vikings players and officials he won't return for a 20th season. The former league MVP reportedly told the Vikings his ankle is not responding well after offseason surgery.
The confusion over Favre's status flooded Vikings training camp Tuesday, where tight end Visanthe Shiancoe revealed he heard the quarterback had started to contact teammates and team officials to say he will not return for a 20th NFL season.
"He told a couple guys on our team he's going to retire," Shiancoe said after Tuesday night's practice. "He hasn't told me yet. I'm going to check my phone right now, but it hasn't been said publicly yet, so I don't know what to believe."
When asked Wednesday about Shiancoe's comment, Favre laughed and responded, "Shanc, that's why I love him."
Vikings coach Brad Childress said Favre hadn't told him directly that he plans to retire as of Tuesday morning. The coach wouldn't confirm Favre's status with the team, calling it a "fluid situation," and he was unavailable for comment after the night practice.
"I'm not a big hearsay person," Childress said. "I gotta hear it from the horse's mouth."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.