National Football League

Favre: Money didn't motivate comeback

Published Aug. 22, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre said in an NBC interview aired Sunday that he was returning to the NFL for one more year "for the guys," adding that the money was not the biggest factor in his decision.

The 40-year-old Favre announced his return to the Vikings last Wednesday after weeks of debating whether to retire.

On Sunday he made his return to the field, lasting only one series in a preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers before he was on the receiving end of a heavy sack by linebacker Patrick Wills.

At halftime, NBC aired an interview between Favre and broadcaster Al Michaels, in which he talked for the first time about the key motivation behind his decision to play a 20th season.

"It's not that I never wanted to play," Favre said. "When I came back, the biggest thing I stressed was it more about the guys than anything and feeling like there was unfinished business. It was something I felt like I really needed to do."

Minnesota's campaign came to an end with an overtime loss in the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints last season after Favre's final throw resulted in an interception and ended any chance of a Vikings victory in regulation.

"As great a season it was last year — and it was — all I could think about this offseason was what I could have done better in that last game to lead the team to the Super Bowl," he said.

"I knew that would be some people's assumption," Favre said. "It was tempting, but I've always made a lot of money, and I knew I didn't need it."

"Did it move you closer to coming back?" Michaels asked.

"Honestly, no," Favre said. "It all came back to feeling obligated to the guys. That was really the strongest pull. I'm no fool. It's a lot of money. But that in itself was not the biggest factor."

Favre dismissed suggestions he would not give his all this season, saying he only knows one way to play.

"What has made me so successful over the years, but has also been my demise at times, is when I do something I do it all the way," he said.

The future Hall of Famer also denied reports he did not like or trust Vikings coach Brad Childress.

"Did we have some disagreements last year? Absolutely," Favre said. "But I consider that a good thing.

"I think he's done an excellent job. Will there be disagreements this year? I'm sure there'll be plays where he's not happy with the way I execute them, some of the things I do.

"But we're fine. I thought that article was totally ridiculous."