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Brett Favre has been informed he requires surgery on his left ankle to play the upcoming season for the
Minnesota Vikings, and the quarterback is deliberating whether to have the procedure or simply to end his 19-year NFL career by retiring.
“ 
This decision would be easy if not for my teammates and the fans and the entire Vikings staff. One year truly felt like 10 -- much like Green Bay for many years. That's what I was missing in my heart I suppose, a sense of belonging.
” -- Brett Favre in an e-mail to ESPN
Favre, who would turn 41 during the 2010 season, told ESPN the ankle injury that he suffered three months ago in the NFC Championship Game against the
New Orleans Saints continues to be swollen and painful.
That prompted tests to determine why healing had not occurred and Favre sent the results of those scans to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who told the quarterback his opinion that surgery is unavoidable.
"We have spoken,'' Favre said in an e-mail. "To play again, I would need the surgery, as I suspected. This decision would be easy if not for my teammates and the fans and the entire Vikings staff. One year truly felt like 10 -- much like Green Bay for many years. That's what I was missing in my heart I suppose, a sense of belonging.''
Favre said he must determine whether his affection for the Vikings and his belief they are capable of winning the Super Bowl overrides his disdain for surgery.
Favre would not reveal the exact diagnosis or the prognosis on how long it would take to recover from the surgery.
While it previously seemed Favre was almost certain to return to the Vikings, his comments Friday reveal a player who appears to be seriously conflicted.
Seifert on Favre
ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert is trying not to be cynical, but he can see how the Brett Favre saga is going to play out between now and mid-August.
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Favre was in a similar position last offseason, when Andrews repaired a partially torn biceps tendon in his throwing shoulder.
Favre eventually decided to play, missing all of training camp before signing a two-year contract with the Vikings worth $25 million.
Favre had the best statistical season of his career and advanced the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game in the Superdome, where he was brutalized by the Saints defense. His final pass of the season was intercepted with the Vikings in scoring position and seemingly poised to win the game.
Instead, Favre's pass for
Sidney Rice was intercepted in the final minutes, and the Vikings were defeated in overtime without Favre touching the football.
Favre appeared emotionally devastated after the loss and said it was highly unlikely he would play again. Now his future remains very much in doubt once more.
Ed Werder covers the NFL for ESPN.
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