Favre's No. 4 to be retired during Packers-Vikings opener

The Vikings already know they face a tough assignment, opening the season on a Monday night (Sept. 8) against the arch-rival Packers at Lambeau Field.

But coach Brad Childress and Co. learned today the intensity level that night at Lambeau will be increased even more. The Packers announced they will retire Brett Favre's No. 4 that evening. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

"The season-opening game is always an exciting event, and now we're very pleased to add the retirement of Brett's No. 4 to that evening," Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement issued by the team. "It will make for an electric atmosphere at Lambeau Field, as well as a great opportunity for our fans around the country to share in it while watching the game on the national broadcast.

"[Packers general manager] Ted Thompson, [coach] Mike McCarthy and I looked at the entire schedule and felt the first game would be an ideal time to have the event. I spoke with Brett, as did Ted and Mike, about which game to choose. Ultimately, through our communications, we decided the first game would work great."

The Packers are in the midst of planning the ceremony and will announce further details at a later date.

Favre's number will become the sixth retired by the franchise, joining the No. 14 of wide receiver Don Hutson (1951); No. 3 of fullback Tony Canadeo (1952); No. 15 of quarterback Bart Starr (1973); No. 66 of linebacker Ray Nitschke (1983); and No. 92 of defensive end Reggie White (2005). All five of those players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.