Favre

MINNEAPOLIS — The purple No. 4 jerseys with "FAVRE" on the back were already in heavy circulation around the Twin Cities and it seemed almost inevitable that Brett Favre would end his second retirement to join the Minnesota Vikings.

Then Favre dropped the news that surprised many — inside the organization and out â — when he called Vikings coach Brad Childress Tuesday to tell him he was staying retired and would not be joining the Vikings for training camp.

"The writing on the wall was, as long as his arm was healthy he was going to play," Vikings linebacker Ben Leber said. "I thought it was just a contractual deal that was taking so long and I really expected him to be at camp. So I was really surprised."

Now the Vikings are left to pick up the pieces after their summer-long courtship of the future Hall of Fame quarterback ended with a phone call just two days before players are required to report to training camp in Mankato.

"It was the hardest decision I've ever made," Favre told ESPN. "I didn't feel like physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings — but, most importantly, the fans."

Set to turn 40 in October, Favre told Childress that he didn't think his body could withstand a 19th season in the NFL. This after he retired for a second time, was granted his release from the New York Jets and had surgery to alleviate a torn biceps in his throwing arm, presumably to get him ready for one last run at a title.

But after two months of throwing to high school and college players at Oak Grove High School in Mississippi, and a few interviews that seemed to indicate he was leaning toward joining the Vikings, Favre came to the conclusion that he just doesn't have it in him.

"I had to be careful not to commit for the wrong reasons," Favre said.

For now, at least, the Vikings seem eager to put the circus behind them and move on.

"I would love to believe him. I would love it if everybody involved could put this thing to bed and have a little respect for the other quarterbacks involved and maybe for the team," Leber said. "Nobody wants this to linger on and be an ongoing distraction. We'll see if he keeps his word. I understand he's a guy that doesn't like training camp. Nobody does."