Brett Favre dons a Green Bay Packers jersey for the first time since 2008

Now that Brett Favre's constant back-and-forth between retirement and unretirement are officially over, the former quarterback was free to don the jersey that history will eventually remember him wearing: that of the Green Bay Packers, where he spent 16 years and started 253 games under center.

For Sports Illustrated's latest cover, the 45-year-old pulled on the old green and yellow No. 4 for the first time since losing to the New York Giants in the 2008 NFC Championship Game. Favre "retired" after that loss, but famously reversed course and pleaded for Green Bay to welcome him back. By then, the team had already transitioned to first-time starter Aaron Rodgers, and a trade was eventually worked out with the New York Jets.

That was weird to look at, but it didn't sting Packers fans nearly as much a the following two years, when he broke out of retirement again to lead the rival Minnesota Vikings -- taking them to an NFC Championship Game in 2010.

But now actually retired for some time, the gray-haired Favre is featured in SI's "Where are they now?" issue.

It's been a long time coming, but it seems as if Favre is finally ready to accept his status in Packers lore. Now, the team's fans will need to welcome him back.

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