SI’s Major Retirements of 2008

Brett Favre - The Green Bay quarterback never took a game off during his 16 years with Packers and became the face of the franchise, setting myriad of records, most notably for most career NFL touchdown passes (442), most career NFL passing yards (61,655) and most consecutive starts among NFL quarterbacks (253).

Bobby Knight - With an astonishing record of 902-371, The General is currently the all-time winningest Division-I head coach and is best known for his time with Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to three NCAA titles.

Steve McNair - As a former co-MVP, Steve McNair had given his body to the game. After last season, though, the barrel-chested slinger declared: ”Physically, I couldn’t do it anymore.”

Larry Allen - The 11-time Pro Bowler and long-time Dallas Cowboy retired as a San Francisco 49er. Allen is considered a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Annika Sorenstam - The 37-year-old Swede, who has won 10 majors, 72 Tour events and $22,081,561 overall, announced Tuesday that she would step away from the LPGA Tour at season’s end.

Vinny Testaverde - A great symbol of longevity, Vinny Testaverde, 44, threw for more than 46,000 yards and holds the NFL record for having thrown a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive seasons.

Monica Seles - Tennis fans can bid a formal adieu to the winner of 53 singles titles. She captured eight of her nine major championships by the age of 19. Not even a stabbing by a crazed fan in 1993 could end her career as she returned to the game 27 months later.

Pat Riley - On the heels of a 15-67 season, the former director of the Lakers Showtime teams stepped down as coach of the Heat with an NBA championship ring for each finger.

Chris Webber - Known best for his flash as the leader of Michigan’s Fab Five, the No. 1 pick in the 1993 draft retired after a series of knee injuries limited his movement and effectiveness.

Dale Jarrett - Back in October, the three-time Daytona 500 winner and the 1999 Cup Champion announced that he will drive off into the sunset after 24 years.

Mike Rucker - One of the most beloved Carolina Panthers, the defensive end retires as the second-leading tackler and sacks leader in team history. His only Pro Bowl selection came during the Panthers 2003 Super Bowl season, when he had a career-high 12 sacks.