Boy retires Favre jersey after 1,581 days

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., May 6 (UPI) -- The parents of a Ridgefield, Conn., 12-year-old who wore his Green Bay Packers Brett Favre jersey for 1,581 consecutive days said he has retired the shirt.

David Witthoft, who rose to national prominence in 2005 after he revealed during TV, radio and newspaper interviews that he had worn his No. 4 jersey ever day since he received it for Christmas in 2003, donned his favorite player's colors for the final time April 23, the Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette reported Tuesday.

"His last day wearing the jersey was April 23, which was his 12th birthday," said Chuck Witthoft, the boy's father. "It was tough for him for awhile but now that he's 12, he is a little more concerned about his appearance. And the jersey barely came down to his beltline."

David's parents said the family plans to fly to Green Bay Sept. 8, the date the team is scheduled to retire the No. 4 jersey worn by the quarterback, who announced his retirement in March.

"Dave was pretty upset when Favre retired," his father said. "But we knew we had to figure out an end game. He finally decided it was time."

Witthoft said his son plans to have his version of the jersey framed. He said the item may be displayed at the Packers Hall of Fame if the team is interested.