GREEN BAY, Wis. -- An emotional Brett Favre bid adieu to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.

"I think we all know why I'm here. I am officially retiring from the NFL and the Green Bay Packers," the Packers quarterback said during a news conference. "As hard as it is for me to say, it's over."

"I don't think I've got anything else left to give. I know I can play, but I don't think I want to," an emotional Favre said.

Favre was at home in Mississippi earlier this week when news of his decision broke. Favre told Packers coach Mike McCarthy of his plans to retire in a phone call Monday night.

Through tears Thursday, Favre officially ended his career.

"I'd like to thank the Packers," Favre said. "I hope that with every penny they've spent on me, they know it was money well spent."

Favre flirted with retirement over the past several years but came back each time and rebounded to have one of his best seasons in 2007.

The future Hall-of-Famer led the Packers to the NFC Championship game in 2007 after throwing for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns and compiling a 95.7 passer rating.

The Mississippi native will leave the game as the NFL's all-time record holder in several categories including wins by a starting quarterback, passing yards, touchdowns and consecutive games started.

A three-time NFL MVP, seven-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Favre was known as the ultimate gunslinger, often taking chances that resulted in big plays and endeared him to a national audience that regarded him as one of the toughest and grittiest players in league history.

He completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 61,655 yards and 442 TDs over 17 NFL seasons, the last 16 of which were played in Green Bay after the Packers acquired him from the Atlanta Falcons.

"It wasn't about the money or fame or records. I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things. It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments," Favre said.

The quarterback added that he hopes he isn't only remembered for his records, but he hopes he made an impact on the game, and that people appreciate the way he played the game more than his statistics.

Favre said he doesn't have a plan for what he'll do next, but for the near future he's content doing "nothing."

The Packers will now look to Aaron Rodgers, a former first-round pick out of California, to take over the reins of the team. Rodgers has had few opportunities to play since being taken with the 24th overall selection in the 2005 draft.