A teary-eyed Brett Favre told a packed news conference Thursday that he simply didn't want to return for an 18th NFL season.

The Hall of Fame-bound quarterback admitted to reporters in Green Bay, Wis., that while he could still compete at a high level, he wasn't willing to put the work in anymore.

Brett Favre walks off the stage with his wife, Deanna, at Thursday's media conference.
(Mike Roemer/Associated Press)

"I know I can play but I don't think I want to," said Favre, confirming his retirement at Lambeau Field. "It's been a great career for me, but it's over. I can play but I'm not up to the challenge anymore.

"As they say, all good things must come to an end. I look forward to whatever the future may hold for me."

Favre broke down several times as he talked about his decision to retire and thanked the Packer organization for giving him an opportunity to play quarterback.

"I hope that with every penny they've spent on me, they know it was money well spent," he said. "It wasn't about the money or fame or records. I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things. It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments."

Favre, the NFL's only three-time MVP, leaves as the all-time leader in touchdowns (442), passing yardage (61,655) and victories (160).

The Mississippi native also finished his career playing in 253 consecutive regular-season games — 275 including playoffs — more than any other quarterback in history.

In a career that will likely see him enter the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in his first year of eligibility, Favre, originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, led the Packers back to the top of the NFL mountain.

He guided Green Bay to a pair of Super Bowls appearances in 1996 and 1997, winning the big game in his first attempt against the New England Patriots.

The team lost to Denver the following year.

It's been quite a ride

Favre lived up to his gunslinger reputation by throwing a league-high 288 career interceptions.

The ride was not a smooth one for Favre, who suffered through a highly publicized battle with an addiction to prescription painkillers and also stood by his wife, Deanna, while she fought breast cancer.

In addition, Favre played a memorable game on Monday night football against the Oakland Raiders one day after his father, Irvin, died of a heart attack.

His retirement follows a season in which he broke Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino's records for touchdown passes and passing yards.

Favre led the Packers to a 13-3 record before the team bowed out to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFC title game.

After two difficult seasons in 2005 and 2006, Favre contemplated retirement each time, but returned to the football field. After posting one of the best seasons of his career in 2007 — which included a ninth Pro Bowl selection — it seemed the veteran would make another attempt at winning a second Super Bowl.

However, he told coach Mike McCarthy of his decision to call it quits on Monday, and broke the news to general manager Ted Thompson the following day.

There was some speculation that Favre left because of the team's inability to sign wide receiver Randy Moss, a player he lobbied the Packers to get last season.

Moss, a free agent after a record-breaking 2007 season, re-signed with the New England Patriots without an apparent attempt from Green Bay to lure him away.

Favre had a simpler explanation at his new conference.

"I did it, but it got hard," he said. "I don't think it would get easier next year or the following year. It hasn't up until this point.

"It's only gotten tougher and something told me 'You know it's gotten too hard for you.' I could probably come back and do it. Suck it up. But what kind of a toll would that take on me, my family or my teammates? At some point it would affect one of those if not all of them. Maybe it has already. I don't know."