Brett Favre says he's leaving retirement, returning to NFL; social media smells something fishy

Arthur Weinstein

Brett Favre says he's leaving retirement, returning to NFL; social media smells something fishy image

Brett Favre is almost certainly not leaving retirement to return to the NFL.

But a post on Favre's Instagram page Tuesday left social media buzzing with speculation the 49-year-old quarterback planned to return to the league in 2020.

"A true champion sticks to his or her calling," the message read. "I will be coming out of retirement and making my return to play in the NFL for the 2020 season. Stay tuned for more #news!"

Sound ridiculous? Yes, and the fact the post was quickly deleted suggests Favre's account was either hacked, or he was making a late April Fool's Day joke.

Still, this is Brett Favre we're talking about, the quarterback who retired after the 2007 season only to "unretire" and play three more seasons before walking away at age 41. And hey, if Tom Brady can play into his mid-40s, why couldn't Favre give it another shot?

Except, that would be a bad idea. If nothing else, social media had some fun poking fun at Favre's "plans" to return.

An 11-time Pro Bowl selection, Favre was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Arthur Weinstein