At Age 45, Brett Favre Thinks He ‘Could’ Still Play Football, But He Won’t
While Brett Favre has long been retired from the professional football world, he believes he could still play. But the 45-year-old Favre is not actually seeking another shot in the NFL.
During an interview with Sports Illustrated, Brett Favre was asked if he feels he still had the capability to play in the NFL. Favre responded by saying he thinks he does, but he’s not looking to get back into it any time soon.
“I think I could [play], as far as throwing. Of course, we’re not trying to start some ‘He’s coming out of retirement’ [deal]. I say all that because it’s a good thing. Do I think I could play and lead a team? Look, no. But I could play. I could make all the throws I made before. I just couldn’t throw it [nearly] as far, but that never matters anyway.”
Brett Favre, who is on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s “Where Are They Now?” issue, added that he still helps out with the Oak Grove High School football team in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and there have been times where he’ll reminisce about his former football career.
“When I pick up the ball, I’m thinking I’m right back in the Super Bowl and just, all of a sudden, I’ll throw it. And I can throw it 50 yards as well as anyone, but that used to be 80.”
Favre added that he still feels like he can throw at 80, but it doesn’t end up that way during practice.
“I’ll throw it at 52, and [the receiver is] standing at 55, and I’m like, ‘Brett, just give it up. Your window is closing. Be good at 30, and be happy with that. You’re not going to be good at 80 anymore.'”
Where are they now? Checking in with Brett Favre, Don King, Jose Canseco, Sochi strays & more: http://t.co/1ikcGyYcxj pic.twitter.com/EeFfjJcM32
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 30, 2015
And while Brett Favre says he could still play football, the one thing he wants to avoid most is being tackled.
“I always joke when I tell people, ‘I just don’t want to get hit.’ I don’t know if I can get up.”
The photo shoot Favre did for Sports Illustrated marked the first time in a while that he had worn his No. 4 jersey. Favre mentioned that when he put the jersey on, it felt “big.”
“It felt like a nightgown. That’s not my world anymore.”
Though Brett Favre will not be heading back into the NFL anytime soon, Green Bay Packers fans can see former quarterback don his jersey one more time before his number is retired. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Favre will be participating in a game of flag football with some other former Packers players, and they will be facing off against some of their former opponents. This event will take place on July 19, one day after Favre is inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, due to some previously scheduled events, the game will not be held at Lambeau Field. Instead, it will be held at Camp Randall Stadium. Brett Favre mentioned that it “would have been great” to play at Lambeau Field one last time, but he understands why the game can’t be held there.
“It is what it is, and they have to get ready for the season. It is relatively close to that, and they have some other events prior to our flag football game. So this is not Lambeau but it’s pretty darn close.”
Are you planning on seeing Brett Favre play football one last time?
[Photo by Kevin Casey/NFLPhotoLibrary]
