Brett Favre has flirted with retirement for years. But, this time he's ready.

Favre tells ESPN's Chris Mortensen he knows he can still play, but he's just tired mentally.

After dazzling fans for 17 seasons with his grit, heart and rocket arm, the 38-year-old three-time MVP informed coach Mike McCarthy last night that he wouldn't be back.

Favre's agent, Bus Cook, says nobody in the Packers organization pushed the quarterback out the door, but there wasn't a lot of encouragement to stay.

Scott Favre says his brother knew last year's performance would be hard to duplicate.

Last season, Favre broke Dan Marino's career records for most touchdown passes and most yards passing and John Elway's record for most career victories by a starting quarterback.

Scott Favre says the family is sad, but yet happy for Brett because life goes on -- football isn't everything and it's been a great run.

Statement from Packers General Manager Ted Thompson:

"Brett Favre has informed us of his intention to retire from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. He has had one of the greatest careers in the history of the National Football League, and he is able to walk away from the game on his own terms – not many players are able to do that."

"The Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. He has given Packers fans 16 years of wonderful memories, a Super Bowl championship among them, that will live on forever. Brett’s many accomplishments on the field are legendary. He leaves the game holding virtually every career passing record, plus his consecutive starts streak, which may never be duplicated."

"The uniqueness of Brett Favre – his personality, charisma and love of the game – undoubtedly will leave him as one of the enduring figures in NFL history."

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- The Packers confirm that quarterback Brett Favre will not return for an 18th NFL season.

Only two years removed from perhaps the worst season of his career, Favre had a resurgence in 2007. He broke several career records, including Dan Marino's career mark for career touchdown passes, powered the Packers to an NFC North title and 13-3 regular season record and was named to his ninth Pro Bowl.

Given Favre's career resurgence, it was widely assumed that he was leaning toward returning for the 2008 season.

He even said as much just before the Packers' divisional playoff game against Seattle, telling his hometown newspaper that he wasn't approaching the game as if it would be his last and was more optimistic than in years past about returning.

Brett Favre's agent Bus Cook says nobody from the Green Bay Packers organization told the MVP quarterback it was time to retire.

But, Cook says there wasn't a lot of encouragement for him to stay.

Cook, speaking from his Hattiesburg, Mississippi office, says the 38-year-old Favre told him he was tired. He says he spoke to Favre last night and he informed him of his decision.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)