The 2006 season was plodding on for Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. They were 3-6 with the mighty New England Patriots coming to town.

Sensing that the Packers quarterback wasn't having much fun back then, I decided to visit Green Bay that weekend. I wanted to sit down with Favre that Saturday in anticipation of his possible retirement at season's end.

I wanted to talk to Favre, then 37, about his achievements so I could document them in print at the appropriate time. It turns out I was a year too soon.

The Packers were smoked by the Patriots, 35-0, but rallied to finish the season 8-8. A closing five-game winning streak gave Favre all the encouragement he needed to play again in 2007, when he claimed the remainder of the NFL's career passing records. He also steered the Packers to another NFC title game, his fourth.

But rather than return for an 18th NFL season and one final crack at the Super Bowl, Favre decided he's had enough. The most durable and prolific quarterback in NFL history is retiring, having left his mark on football.

And football has left its mark on him. The game matured him beyond the field.

"I wished for a lot of things, as all kids do," Favre told me that chilly November day. "I want to drive this car ... I want to be able to do this ... Wouldn't it be nice to sign autographs and have people love you? Dreams ... Everyone has hopes and aspirations. All those came true for me.

"But what matters most to me now are the things that I never really thought about, like family. My family has suffered a lot of adversity and hardships. Being in my position, I've been able to help. Like (Hurricane) Katrina. My mom's still trying to move back into her house. I've been able to help out financially. My dad passing away (in 2003). Thank God for football. I was able to separate myself from that for at least a day or two.

"Ultimately, it comes down to what matters most. Sometimes you don't realize that in everyday life because you spend more time dwelling on things you don't have rather than the things you do."

There is little Favre doesn't have on or off the field. He owns a Super Bowl ring and an NFL-record three consecutive MVP trophies. He has thrown more passes for more yards and more touchdowns than any quarterback in history. He has won more games than any quarterback in history.

Walking away after 17 seasons, Favre also has earned more money throwing footballs than any quarterback in NFL history.

"I've made a ton of money," Favre conceded. "We've bought nice things and enjoyed our success. But we've given a lot to our families and tried to make it as comfortable for them as possible.

"Most people on the outside looking in might say, `That's easy for you to say because you're able to pay your bills. You're able to do this and do that.' But I could care less what I wear or what I drive. All that (fame and fortune) was nice. But over the years it kind of wore out its luster. Now there's nothing I need or want. I've got everything. I've got a great family. We're able to help other people out.

"I realize now that's more important than how many times you're on TV. Don't get me wrong, I love to play the game. But I love to play it a certain way and I'm content with that — not how many times they mention my name."

Clearly, Favre was ready to retire at the end of the 2006 season. He was more ready to retire at the end of the 2007 season. Then and now, Favre is at peace with himself as both a person and a football player.

Finally, by his own choice, there are no more passes to throw, no more games to win. Favre walks away after having started 275 consecutive games at quarterback for the Packers — his one record that probably will never will be broken.

"I'm pretty damn comfortable within myself," said Favre back in November 2006.

He's even more comfortable now.