Report: Vikings give Favre deadline

Sports Network | June 8, 2009

Bristol, CT (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly given quarterback Brett Favre a deadline to make a decision about coming out of another brief retirement to join the club.

ESPN cited sources as saying Vikings head coach Brad Childress wants Favre to decide by this week if he will play in 2009.

Favre retired for the second time in as many years this past February when he told the New York Jets it was time to call it a career. The Jets, at Favre's request, then granted him his release, freeing him to sign with another club.

The three-time MVP also retired after the 2007 season with Green Bay, only to have a change of heart, and the Packers traded him to New York. At the time, since the Packers said they didn't want him, Favre unsuccessfully tried to force a deal to Minnesota. He now has a chance to play for the Vikings, but only if his injured shoulder is healed.

Favre was hampered last season by a torn biceps tendon in his passing shoulder. There were conflicting reports after the season that the future Hall of Famer would have surgery, possibly from noted sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.

On Sunday night, ESPN reported that Favre had arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder. The report said Favre still remains unable to make a commitment to return because throwing sessions following the procedure indicated the shoulder is not 100 percent healthy.

In his lone season with the Jets, Favre helped the team to an 8-3 start. But the injury apparently was a factor in Favre's struggles over the final five games and the Jets also stumbled to a 1-4 mark to miss the playoffs.

The Jets, with Favre on his way to retirement, selected USC quarterback Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall selection in the NFL Draft.

Favre spent 18 seasons in the NFL and starred for 16 years with the Packers, who acquired him from Atlanta before the 1992 season. He threw four passes in two games with the Falcons, who had selected the Southern Mississippi product in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft.

The ultimate gunslinger, Favre was a seven-time All-Pro and was selected to 10 Pro Bowls, including this past season with New York. He left the game as the NFL's all-time record holder in several categories, including wins by a starting quarterback, passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions and consecutive games started.

Favre completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 65,127 yards with 464 touchdowns and 310 interceptions. He led the Packers to a pair of Super Bowls, winning his lone title after the 1996 season in a 35-21 victory over New England. The Packers lost to Denver in the Super Bowl the following season.