Originally published Monday, August 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM
NFL | Reluctant Packers get Brett Favre back
The Green Bay Packers reluctantly embraced Favre's forced return to the football field Sunday, after failing to come to a financial agreement that would manage to make Favre happy while staying retired.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Brett Favre is back. It remains to be seen whether he'll still be the leader of the Pack.
The Green Bay Packers reluctantly embraced Favre's forced return to the football field Sunday, after failing to come to a financial agreement that would manage to make Favre happy while staying retired.
The NFL announced Sunday that Favre would be reinstated and added to the Packers' active roster today. Commissioner Roger Goodell had held off on granting Favre's request for reinstatement for a week, hoping Favre and the team could resolve their standoff.
"Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back," said team president and CEO Mark Murphy. "We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage."
The reinstatement will become effective at 10 a.m. PDT today, when Favre will be added to the Packers' active roster. By reinstating Favre, who arrived in Green Bay Sunday evening, Goodell is following through on a recent promise to force action.
Earlier this week, the team offered Favre a long-term, multimillion-dollar marketing agreement that likely would have kept him retired. But Favre's decision to report to camp makes such an agreement less likely.
A trade remains a possibility.
"Having crossed the Rubicon once when Brett decided to retire," Murphy said in a statement, "it's very difficult to reorient our plans and cross it again in the opposite direction — but we'll put this to our advantage."
Favre could be on the field as early as Tuesday.
In other Packers news, the team announced the signing of Ryan Grant, a day after the running back and team agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $30 million.
Zorn wins debut
CANTON, Ohio — Rookie Colt Brennan threw two touchdown passes in the second half for Washington, and Matterral Richardson returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown to rally the Redskins for a 30-16 victory against Indianapolis in the Hall of Fame Game, giving Seahawks legend Jim Zorn a victory in his head-coaching debut.
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"For the first game, I don't have anything to be disappointed about," Zorn said. "I was excited to have a big turnover for a touchdown at the end. That shows the guys playing it all the way through."
The Colts played without seven starters, including Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. They also lost Pro Bowl running back Joseph Addai with a head injury after their second offensive play.
Notes
• Ravens RB Willis McGahee (knee) might miss Thursday's exhibition against New England.
• WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) did some light running for the first time since the Giants opened camp.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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