8182c7e15c868210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRDapproved/thenational/Articles/Migration/2009-Q3Favre makes the call: he will not play again7182c7e15c868210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____In a blow to the Minnesota Vikings, the quarterback says he cannot handle another NFL season.<p>MINNEAPOLIS // Brett Favre has called the Vikings coach Brad Childress to tell him he just made the toughest call of his life: he won't be coming out of retirement to play for Minnesota. "It was the hardest decision I've ever made," the 39-year-old quarterback great said. "I didn't feel that physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings - but, most importantly, the fans."</p> <p>The decision was a stunning blow for the Vikings after they openly courted Favre all summer. Adding Favre would have been viewed by many as the final piece for a team that already has star running back Adrian Peterson and a stingy veteran defence that returns nearly intact from last year's NFC North title season. "It was a rare and unique opportunity to consider adding not only a future Hall of Fame quarterback but one that is very familiar with our system and division," Childress said. "That does not detract from the team that we have."</p> <p>Last year, Favre tearfully retired from the Green Bay Packers after 17 seasons in the NFL and three MVP awards - then made an about-face and played for the New York Jets. He retired again, had surgery in May to alleviate a torn biceps tendon and then flirted with the idea of coming back again with the Vikings, the big NFC North rival of the Packers. After two months of rehabilitation, Favre told Childress he did not think he had enough in him to get through a 19th season. "I had to be careful not to commit for the wrong reasons," Favre said. "They were telling me, 'You went through all this, you had the surgery and you've got to finish it off.' But I have legitimate reasons for my decision. I'm 39 with a lot of sacks to my name."</p> <p>Favre holds almost every NFL career passing record that matters, including touchdown passes (464), completions (5,720), yards passing (65,127) and regular-season victories (169). Many thought that he could help the Vikings land an elusive Super Bowl championship. * AP</p> 175YYSPORT2009073000000020090730000000100ARhttp://adedit.ad.atl.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090730/SPORT/7072999167072999162009073010000000063657282f5968210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____7182c7e15c868210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____deec781bc2968210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRDImageArticle Asset captionArticle Asset option271cbfb1ac178210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____7182c7e15c868210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____aab99dc749868210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRD1d96677ba9178210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____7182c7e15c868210VgnVCM200000e66411ac____ba1aa16a27868210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRD