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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2009
NFL
Favre retires after only one season with Jets
Quarterback says he's honored to have played with 'outstanding' organization
New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre throws against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 26. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday that he won't return for a 19th NFL season and second with the jets.
BY DENNIS WASZAK JR.
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Brett Fave is done slinging passes with his rocket right arm — may be for good.
The 39-year-old quarterback told the New York Jets on Wednesday that he was retiring after 18 seasons, ending a record setting career in which he became one of the NFL's all-time greats.
"We had an all-encompassing conversation," owner Woody Johnson said of his discussion with Favre. "He told me at that point that he had made his decision to retire and thanked everybody and talked about what a great experience he had with the New York Jets."
Favre's decision came six weeks after his only season with the lets ended in disappointment as New York failed to make the playoffs. In an e-mail to ESPN, Favre said he has no regrets about finishing his career in New York and praised Johnson, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and fired coach Eric Mangini.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"My time with the Jets was short, but I'm honored to be given that charge," Fayre wrote in the e-mail.
If this is indeed it for Favre, he leaves the game with a slew of records, including career touchdown passes (464), completions (5,720), yards passing (65,127), regular-season victories (169) and interceptions (310).
Favre tearfully retired last March then changed his mind, prompting a bitter divorce with Green Bay. He was traded to the jets in August and
was a Pro Bowl selection despite an overwhelmingly disappointing season that cost Mangini his job.
"With Brett, there was always the possibility that he wouldn't play the second year," Johnson said. "We were hoping to get one good year out of Brett Favre. We picked him based on, in our opinion, his giving us the best chance to win last season. We were disappointed not to have made the Super Bowl, but we did some very good things with Brett."
And the team doesn't expect Favre to change his mind.
"He did not ask to be released." Tannenbaum said. "Everything he said was, he is done playing football. We have our plan according to that, and we're going to move forward."
When asked if the door might be open to Favre if he again decides to come back, Tannenbaum said he wanted to stay away from hypotheticals.
"He felt he had given us everything he had, and it was time for him to move on," Tannenbaum said Favre told him.
Running back Thomas Jones and safety Kerry Rhodes were critical after the season of Favre and his performance. The lets went from 8-3 to missing the playoffs, Favre threw nine interceptions as the lets went 1-4 down the stretch, and a torn right biceps might have contributed.
Still, Favre had nothing but positive things to say about his Jets experience.
"Mike and Woody, as well as
the entire organization, have been nothing short of outstanding." Favre said in the e-mail. "My teammates — Thomas (Jones) and Kerry (Rhodes) included — were a pleasure to play with. Eric could not have been any better. I enjoyed playing for him."
As did All-Pro kick returner running back Leon Washington.
"The longevity of his career and
his love for the game is truly inspiring," Washington said. "I'm privileged to have played with not only a Hall of Fame QB, but also a great role model."
New York hired former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to replace Mangini, and he, along with Johnson and Tannenbaum, repeatedly said they wanted Favre to return. Instead, Favre
spent several weeks after the season at his home in Kiln, Miss., away from football before deciding to retire — again.
New York now will move forward with a new quarterback, whether that will be Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff, Erik Ainge or perhaps a veteran free agent such as Jeff Garcia, Kerry Collins, Byron Leftwich or Rex Grossman.
"We've got three quarterbacks on the roster, and I think we feel pretty good that in a competition among those guys, we'll end up with a pretty good quarterback," Johnson said.
Favre had two years left on his contract and was due $13 million for next season, clearing a chunk of salary cap space for the Jets.
MLB
Tejada lies to Congress about drugs
Houston Astro shortstop pleads guilty and may face deportation after March sentencing
BY NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs and admitted buying what he believed was human growth hormone.
Appearing before a federal magistrate, the 34-year-old starter for the Houston Astros admitted that he lied to congressional investigators who had asked about steroid use by major league ballplayers. Tejada also acknowledged purchasing the drugs while playing with the Oakland Athletics.
He said he had second thoughts and threw the drug away without using it. Prosecutors said they had no evidence to contradict his claim.
Tejada, who was born in the Dominican Republic, listened through headphones to a simultaneous Spanish translation to the court
proceedings. As he pleaded guilty, his voice cracked and one of his attorneys patted him on the shoulder.
The misdemeanor charge of making misrepresentations to Congress can lead to as much as a year in jail. But federal guidelines call for a lighter sentence.
Federal Magistrate Judge Alan Kay said he would sentence Tejada on March 26, which falls during spring training. The Astros are not scheduled to play an exhibition game that day.
The terms of the plea deal were outlined in a letter to Tejada's attorneys dated Feb. 5, and he was given a deadline of Feb. 23 to respond. "His guilty plea in this case may subject him to detention, deportation and other sanctions at the direction of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement," the letter said.
An agency spokeswoman said it individually reviews cases of legal permanent residents convicted of a
crime to determine if they should be deported. She said the agency would not talk about Tejada's status because it doesn't discuss individual cases.
The judge asked Teiada whether he had used any alcohol or drugs, legal or illegal, in the last 24 hours that could affect his decision. Tejada answered softly, "Last night I took a couple of drinks." But he told the judge he wasn't currently under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Tejada and his two lawyers declined to answer questions as they left the courthouse. They scheduled a news conference in Houston later in the day.
Tejada was the American League's Most Valuable Player in 2002 while playing for the Athletics.
Federal authorities also are investigating whether Roger Clemens lied to Congress when he denied using steroids or human growth hormone.
Charges against Tejada were detailed in documents filed in court
Tuesday, a day after superstar Alex Rodriguez acknowledged past use of performance-enhancing drugs. The New York Yankees third baseman does not face charges.
Clemens and Rodriguez are atop a list of drug-tainted stars that includes Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, whose actions cast doubt on their on-field accomplishments.
In the court papers, Tejada was charged with lying to investigators for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2005. Congressional staffers did not place Tejada under oath when they questioned him, but court documents say the investigators advised him "of the importance of providing truthful answers."
Tejada came under scrutiny after another ex-teammate, the Baltimore Orioles Rafael Palmeiro, testified before the House committee and declared that he'd never used steroids.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston Astros' Miguel Tejada leaves federal court in Washington Wednesday after pleading guilty to lying to Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs and admitted buying what he believed was human growth hormone.
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