A Brief History Of: Un-Retirement

Jeff Phelps / AP

Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre runs off the field.

So much for going gently into that good night. Four months after a tearful press conference that left an entire state of Cheeseheads in mourning, storied Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre announced he wants to return from retirement. The only problem: the Packers might be ready to wrap up his legacy, even if he isn't.

Favre, 38, is certainly not the first athlete to flip-flop on bidding farewell to his game. Pitcher Roger Clemens, the king of comebacks, has retired a total of three times. Lance Armstrong left cycling in 1996 to battle cancer and returned to win seven consecutive...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!