Lovie Smith reacts to Favre retirement

Bears coach Lovie Smith released a statement on the retirement of Brett Favre this afternoon:

I think this announcement comes about 17 years too late and I dont know if I will completely believe it until Green Bay opens the season without No. 4 lining up under center. In all seriousness, no one has given more to our game than Brett Favre. I have spent the better part of my NFL coaching career working on game plans to beat him. There is no player I respect more. He is one of the all-time greats to ever play in the NFL. He was a tremendous leader and the ultimate competitor on Sundays. I wish him and his family the very best.