Brett Favre and 10 Stars Who May Retire in 2011: Are They Hall of Fame Bound?

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Brett Favre & 10 Stars Who May Retire in 2011: Are They Hall Of Fame Bound?

Brett Favre has mercifully filed his retirement papers with the NFL league office. While that doesn't mean he can't come back, it means that it is more likely that he is finished with his NFL career.

This list is ten guys who would be wise to follow Favre's lead. Some of them are Hall of Famers, some aren't quite on that level.

Read on and let us know what you think of these ten athletes and the direction of their careers.

10. Mark Brunell

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Mark Brunell #8 of the New York Jets warms up against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo by Andy

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Age: 40

Why Retirement Is Wise: Since 2006 Mark Brunell has not done much in the league. He has just 22 completions in 43 attempts for 219 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The last time Brunell started a game was the 2006 season and he didn't see any action in 2007 and 2008.

Brunell's best days are well behind him, but maybe it's time to start looking at life after football.

Hall of Fame?: No

9. Bernard Hopkins

LAS VEGAS - APRIL 03: Bernard Hopkins tries to get up from an apparent low blow from Roy Jones Jr. during the 10th round of their light heavyweight bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center April 3, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hopkins won by unanimous decisi

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Age: 46

Why Retirement Is Wise: Bernard Hopkins once promised his mother that he would not fight past the age of 40. Well, now he is 46 and he is still fighting.

In 2010, Hopkins fought Roy Jones Jr. (who also should think about calling it quits) and 28-year-old Jean Pascal. Against Jones, Hopkins won by decision but he scored a draw against Pascal.

Looks like he can beat guys his own age, but is going to struggle against younger opponents.

Hall of Fame?: Yes

8. Tim Wakefield

ST. PETERSBURG - JULY 07: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on July 7, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

J. Meric/Getty Images

Age: 44

Why Retirement Is Wise: Tim Wakefield has been old for 10 years now but he always seems to have some big moments for the Red Sox.

He is one of the few remaining knuckle-ballers left in the MLB but he won just four games last season and had an ERA over five. Looks like the crafty veteran might need to call it quits.

Hall of Fame?: No

7. Terrell Owens

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off of the field following the Bengals 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 23-

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Age: 37

Why Retirement Is Wise: Honestly I don't think Terrell Owens is going to call it quits this year, but I think he is making a mistake if he doesn't retire.

He is nothing more than a sideshow at this point of his NFL career. He is not a dangerous weapon that teams have to gameplan for.

While there was once a point of Owens' career where I would want him on my team despite his baggage, I no longer feel that way.

Hall of Fame?: No

6. Mariano Rivera

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Age: 41

Why Retirement Is Wise: Now I know Mariano Rivera is the ageless wonder and he is still a very productive baseball career, but I think he would be wise to call it quits before he starts to decline.

The quicker he gets out of baseball, the more highly he will be thought of after his career his over.

Hall of Fame?: Yes

5. Tony Gonzales

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Age: 34

Why Retirement Is Wise: Tony Gonzalez has been in the NFL for 14 seasons and is yet to win a playoff game.

He will go down as the best tight end ever to play in the NFL, but he has not been much of a factor this year recording 70 receptions and 656 yards, both his lowest totals since his second year in the league.

Hall of Fame?: Yes

4. Chipper Jones

WASHINGTON - JULY 27: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves throws the ball to first base against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 27, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Age: 38

Why Retirement Is Wise: Chipper Jones has been the face of the Atlanta Braves for quite a long time. However, Jones missed nearly the entire 2010 season because of a torn ACL and the Braves made a magical run to the playoffs without the former All-Star.

Jones did discuss the possibility of retiring following the 2010 season with Braves' management, but he said, "I don't want the fans' final image of me to be one of me hurt on the field."

If Jones stays healthy I full expect this to be his last season.

Hall of Fame?: Yes

3. Shaquille O'Neal

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 24: Shaquille O'Neal #36 of the Boston Celtics celebrates his basket in the fourth quarter against the New Jersey Nets on November 24, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the nets 89-83. NOTE TO USER: Us

Elsa/Getty Images

Age: 38

Why Retirement Is Wise: Shaq has toyed with the idea of retirement for a few years now, but it seems like he always tends to add a year or so when talking about how much longer he will play.

While he was once one of the most dominant forces in the NBA during the late 90s and early 2000s, he is clearly over the hill. Retirement seems like a distinct possibility after this season.

Hall of Fame?: Yes

2. Omar Vizquel

CHICAGO - JUNE 27: Omar Vizquel #11 of the Chicago White Sox takes a swing against the Chicago Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field on June 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the White Sox 8-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Age: 43

Why Retirement Is Wise: The fact that Omar Vizquel is still playing productive baseball is pretty incredible.

He had a stretch of nine consecutive Golden Gloves, but that was ten years ago. Currently he is the oldest starting position player in the Majors and he has slowed down considerably over the tail end of his career.

Hall of Fame?: Yes

1. Ric Flair

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Hulk Hogan's opponent Ric Flair is greeted by the crowd during Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania Tour at Rod Laver Arena on November 21, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Mark Dadswell/Getty Images

Age: 61

Why Retirement Is Wise: Ric Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world but he also made his debut in 1972.

He doesn't compete all that much, but it is surprising he can compete at all at 61. Honestly, I respect the ability to wrestle at that age, but the sight of him shirtless is just scary.

Hall of Fame?: Already Inducted

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