MINNEAPOLIS » There is the way most NFL quarterbacks do things and the way Brett Favre did it.

Over 20 seasons he built one of the most exciting, colorful and drama-filled careers the league has ever seen, built on a "don’t try this at home" style of play predicated on taking big risks in the game’s biggest moments.

No apologies needed for his three MVP awards, two Super Bowl appearances and NFL records for consecutive starts, victories by a quarterback, yards passing, completions, touchdowns and pretty much every other passing mark there is.

And none offered for his bitter split from the Green Bay Packers, careless interceptions in a pair of NFC championship games and refusal to cooperate with an NFL investigation into alleged tawdry messages sent to a game-day hostess with the New York Jets in 2008.

"I hope that people admired the way I played, my passion for it," Favre said Sunday after watching his Vikings lose in Detroit while a third-string quarterback named Joe Webb took the snaps. "Because I hold no regrets."

He’s been called a gunslinger and riverboat gambler by those who watched him throw off his back foot, across his body to a well-covered receiver time and time again.

Favre’s exit was messy. His final season was filled with turnovers and oddities — the final play of Favre’s career will apparently be a jarring sack by the Bears on a rock-hard college football field. On the same day players across the league were clearing out their lockers for the year, Favre was sued by two massage therapists who say they lost their jobs with the Jets after complaining about those text messages from the famous quarterback.

Favre led the Vikings to the 2009 NFC title game in one of the most memorable seasons in the franchise’s 50-year history. But his second season in Minnesota couldn’t have gone much worse, and it appears the 41-year-old has finally worn out his welcome in a league that reaped the benefits of his talents for two decades.

"I cannot think of any circumstance of where I would pick up the phone and say, ‘Brett, do you want to come back next season?’ " said Leslie Frazier, who was elevated to Vikings head coach yesterday. "I can’t think of any circumstance where that would occur."

Seattle, Williams agree to 3-year deal

RENTON, Wash. » One-time bust Mike Williams has found a home in Seattle. And instead of testing free agency, Williams decided sticking around with the Seahawks was the better move.

Williams and the Seahawks announced agreement on a three-year contract extension yesterday. Financial details of his extension were not released.

Bears’ Hester sets record

LAKE FOREST, Ill. » Add this to the list of NFL records for Chicago’s Devin Hester — highest punt-return average in a season. The Bears’ speedy return specialist averaged 17.1 yards, the highest in league history among players with at least 30 returns. He also set the career record for combined kick-return touchdowns last month with his 14th.