Favre says retirement was premature

NEW YORK, July 14 (UPI) -- Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre told FOX News Monday he was premature in his retirement announcement.

In his first interview since it became known he intended to return to the NFL, Favre said he is ready to play in Green Bay this season.

Favre told Greta Van Susteren on FOX News that when Packers Coach Mike McCarthy and General Manager Ted Thompson approached him about retirement in the off-season, he told them he'd prefer to wait until training camp in July to make his decision.

Favre said the Packers insisted they needed to know what their position, specifically with Favre's backup, Aaron Rodgers, and wanted him to decide before the free agency period and the draft.

"I was not totally ready to commit," Favre, 38, said of his feelings when he announced his retirement. "March 3, when I got in front of the podium, did I want to play? Yes. 100 percent? No."

He said McCarthy told him June 20 that returning to the Packers was not an option.

Last season, Favre led the Packers to the NFC Championship game after throwing for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns and compiling a 95.7 passer rating.