Brett Favre, now 45, says he thinks he could still play

Longtime NFL quarterback Brett Favre is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated for its “Where Are They Now?” issue.

Favre is now 45 and hasn’t played since 2010, when his two-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings came to an end.

Favre, who donned a Green Bay Packers uniform (one he hadn't worn since 2008) on the cover, says he thinks he could still play. But don’t worry; he’s not planning to come out of retirement this time.

“I think I could,” Favre said. “Of course, we’re not trying to start some he’s-coming-out-of-retirement deal. I say all that because it’s a good thing. Do I think I could play and lead a team? No. But I could play. I could make all the throws I made before. I just couldn’t throw it near as far. That never matters anyway.”

Favre volunteers as a coach for a local high school team, and he says he can still throw the ball 50 yards with no problem, but he can’t launch the ball 80 yards downfield like he used to.

“When I’ll pick up the ball, I’m thinking I’m right back in the Super Bowl,” Favre said. “I can throw it 50 yards as well as anyone but that used to be 80. And in my mind I’m still at 80, but I’m like, ‘Brett, just give it up.”

Favre had a historic 20-year career, 16 of which were spent in Green Bay. He originally announced his retirement in March 2008, but reconsidered and played a year for the New York Jets before finishing out his career in Minnesota. Even at age 40, Favre threw for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2009, leading the Vikings to the NFC title game.

Favre took a ton of brutal hits over the course of his career, and he admitted that’s what keeps him away from the game more than anything.

“I always jokingly tell people, I just don’t want to get hit,” Favre said. “I don’t know if I could get up.”

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper