Brett Favre, the man who has set NFL records for touchdown passes and yardage, decided to retire from the Green Bay Packers, the team’s manager, Ted Thompson confirmed.

"He has given Packers fans 16 years of wonderful memories, a Super Bowl championship among them, that will live on forever," Thompson said in a statement published on the team’s web site, adding that Favre’s achievements and everything that he has done on the field for the team will never be forgotten.

"The uniqueness of Brett Favre -- his personality, charisma and love of the game -- undoubtedly will leave him as one of the enduring figures in NFL history.”

The 38- year- old player came at Packers 16 seasons ago and was the team's starting quarterback since the fourth game during the 1992 season. Brett Favre has passed for 61.655 yards and 422 touchdowns, including one season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Favre is the holder of several NFL records, including the one for the most wins as a quarterback, as he has 160. Also, he holds the league’s best records for completions (5.377), passing attempts (8.758) and interceptions (288).

He had nine Pro Bowl selections, while the last one was the previous season, when Favre completed 356 of 535 passes for 4.155 yards and 28 touchdowns.

He has a long history with the Packers, as he won the Super Bowl XXI, in January 1997, when he helped his team defeat the New England Patriots 35-21 with his passes for two touchdowns and as he run for another in the game.