We know that the empty weekend before the Super Bowl isn't exactly the highest trafficked sports news time, but still: If you ever needed the best example of the crotch-hold Brett Favre has on the American sports media, this morning's SportsCenter is pretty much it.

The news: Favre is kind of maybe considering the possibility of mulling the idea of the notion toward the contemplation of perhaps retiring ... but he's not sure. This breathless scoop is brought to you by Chris Mortensen, whom we're still sure gets prank calls from a bored Bill Parcells. In the interview, Favre treats retirement like it's the Zapruder film, something mysterious and maddening, saying he "wishes he knew where he stood" as to whether or not to retire, as if he were waiting for a committe to make a decision or something.

The NFL leader in interceptions last year looks anguished, unsure and confused about whether or not he should play again, and even looks at times as if he's waiting for Mortensen to tell him what to do. Honestly: This is not nuclear physics. Play again, or don't. AT this point, Favre is just playing with us; we still imagine an 84-year-old Favre, still calling press conferences to discuss his "anguish" about whether or not to play football. "I'm physically ready," he'll say, "it's just a matter of having the desire you need in the NFL," as everyone present nods their heads, yes, Brett ... yessss.

Retirement On Brett's Mind [ESPN]

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