NFL | Favre: "It's all rumor"

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Brett Favre dismissed an ESPN report that he's considering coming out of retirement as "all rumor."

Favre responded Wednesday to the ESPN report by telling his hometown newspaper Web site, SunHerald.com in Gulfport, Miss., that "it's all rumor."

The paper reported that Favre sent a text message saying there's "no reason" for a media frenzy.

ESPN reported that an unidentified Packers source said the 38-year-old Favre told coach Mike McCarthy in the past two weeks that he has the itch to play.

"The Packers have no reaction," team spokesman Jeff Blumb said.

Favre's agent didn't return a message seeking comment. Packers general manager Ted Thompson and McCarthy were on vacation.

Favre retired March 6 after a 17-year career.

Cornerback Al Harris told ESPN that Favre has told him about maybe playing again.

"I know he has the itch to come back and play," Harris said. "If he will or not, I don't know."

The Packers plan to use Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback for the coming season. Rodgers has stirred up controversy himself this week. In a Sports Illustrated article, the quarterback said he didn't feel pressure to connect with fans the way Favre did.

"I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans," he said in the article. "They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut."

Notes

• The Chicago Bears agreed to a four-year deal with second-round draft pick Matt Forte, the former Tulane running back expected to replace Cedric Benson.

• In the months before his death in 2005, former NFL lineman Steve Courson wrote a letter expressing disappointment that more players weren't open about their steroid use and saying the league's enormous popularity relies on a "myth" of its players as drug-free heroes.

"I believe the NFL is a prisoner to their own public-relations myth," Courson said in the letter, which was found on the computer in his western Pennsylvania home after he was crushed to death at age 50 by a tree he was cutting down.

"The level of deception and exploitation that the NFL requires to do business still amazes me."

• Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley has agreed to settle his lawsuit against a Coronado, Calif., police officer who shot him off-duty two years ago and ended his NFL career. Terms were not announced.