Nobody will ever confuse Ted Thompson with an emotional, sentimental figure.

The Packers general manager is a man of few words and gives an impression of indifference. It's a tough-guy mentality that served him well during his 10-year career as a linebacker with the Houston Oilers.

In Green Bay, however, that attitude doesn't sit well with Packers fans who think he played a big role in the recent retirement of Brett Favre. It had been suggested that Favre felt offended that management didn't make a more conscious effort to let him know he was wanted.

Both Favre and Thompson tried to silence the conspiracy theorists in public comments, but the debate rages on and probably will for years to come.

Thompson denied that it was indifference on his part that caused Favre to think he wasn't wanted back for the 2008 season. He said that he felt confident that he and coach Mike McCarthy did all they could to make Favre feel like he was an important part of the team.

Following the loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 20, Thompson let McCarthy handle most of the regular contact with Favre and kept to a distance. It was the same philosophy he followed last season.

"[Head coach] Mike [McCarthy] kind of stayed in constant contact, and I would make sure I stayed in touch from time to time," Thompson said. "We felt like, in each of those years it was important for Brett to make this decision for Brett, not to be badgered. He doesn't want to be talked into doing something one way or the other.

"He wants to know ... ‘Can I still play and do you want me?' Yes and yes. After that he has to make the decision beyond that. But we felt like the communication lines were open, and we felt like we gave him enough space to be able to make the right decision for him."

In his farewell press conference on Thursday, Favre confirmed Thompson's view on the matter. He said the decision to retire was one he reached on his own as a result of the mental and physical strain put on him by the demands of the game.

"I know there's been comments and issues in the press lately about why I'm leaving, whether or not the Packers did enough, whether or not Ted and Mike tried to convince me to stay," Favre said. "None of those things have anything to do with me retiring, and that's from the heart."

From Thompson's first day on the job, the question of Favre's future was a constant question. Prior to the 2005 campaign, when the Packers went 4-12 and Favre had the worst statistical season of his career, Thompson was brought in to take over the GM duties from Mike Sherman, who stayed on as coach.

One of Thompson's first moves that winter was to relieve Sherman of his coaching duties. That was the start of what many considered to be a standoff between the quarterback and GM. It took 113 days for Favre to make his decision. When it was official, the Packers issued a one-sentence press release from Thompson: "The Green Bay Packers are very pleased that Brett has come to this decision, and look forward to a successful 2006 season."

Last season, Favre's emotional interview with NBC's Andrea Kremer following the season finale led many to believe they'd seen the last of No. 4. He announced his return on Feb. 2 and silenced critics with a season reminiscent of his MVP years, which made his retirement -- after a 13-3 season -- all the more surprising.

Fans and pundits alike have said that it was Thompson's lack of interest in signing free agent receiver Randy Moss that put the nail in the coffin of Favre's career. Thompson, during his time with both the Packers and Seattle Seahawks has been to build teams through the draft as opposed to making big splashes in the free agent market.

The Moss situation first came up a year ago when Favre said he was upset about the Packers not signing the oft-troubled wideout. Media reports at the time claimed that Favre had his agent, James "Bus" Cook, call the Packers to request a trade.

Favre later denied the claim.

"I was frustrated a couple weeks back when Randy Moss was traded to New England," Favre said at the time. "I never wanted to be traded and I don't want to be traded. I want to be in Green Bay. I want to finish my career as a Packer."

Speculation of a Thompson-Favre rift intensified when the announcement of Favre's retirement came quickly after Moss, a free agent again this year, opted to re-sign with New England. At a press conference to announce Favre's decision on Tuesday, Thompson denied that Favre was upset about the team's personnel moves.

"It was never brought up in any of my conversations with Brett and I don't think with [head coach] Mike [McCarthy] either this year," Thompson said. "He likes this team, he respects this team. He was a very good teammate to some people that were half his age or close to it. And that's not an easy thing to do. I can't explain all the things that you're getting at there, but Brett is a good teammate and he likes this team and I think he appreciates this team."

In interviews, Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, said that his client wanted to come back for another season but felt unappreciated and was disappointed that the team didn't make a push to sign Moss. Tuesday morning, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that the Packers' inaction in regards to Moss played a major role in his decision.

In a voicemail left later in the day with Mortensen, Favre said the opposite. He also addressed his relationship with the head coach and general manager.

"This is not about the Packers and who they got or who they didn't get," Favre said in the message. "I get along fine with [Thompson] and I get along great with [McCarthy. Do I agree with them all the time? No. But the bottom line is [that] none of that stuff affected my decision."

Favre and Thompson were rarely photographed together. Past announcements regarding Favre's return and retirement were frequently separate affairs.

Both deny any sort of rift, so the curious will have to take their words for what they're worth. The real truth may never be known.