Jones: ‘It’s tough’

Now Walter Jones knows how all the defenders he stonewalled for 13 years felt.

The Seattle Seahawks’ four-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle bit his bottom lip, laughed nervously and struggled to control his emotions Friday as he discussed his retirement following two knee surgeries.

After a pause, the 36-year-old sighed, cleared his throat twice and said, “the one thing that you don’t want to hear” as an athlete: That it’s over.

From 1997, when he was Seattle’s sixth overall pick out of Florida State, through the 2008 season when a crumbled knee finally beat him, Jones became the standard to which all left tackles aspired.

That standard is why he’s retiring.

“I had to come to the fact that I couldn’t go out and play at the standard I had set for myself,” Jones said. “I couldn’t go out and give what I needed to do to be great at my position.”

Then, after another long sigh, he said, “It’s tough, but I think I’m ready” for retirement. Jones, 36, announced his retirement Thursday.

Favre still hurts

Brett Favre is still stinging from that painful loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC title game three months ago – so much so that it’s a factor in his decision to come back to the Vikings next season.

Favre issued a statement on his website saying his left ankle is still hurting and will require surgery if he wants to return to Minnesota. But he said the injury “is not debilitating” and he’s come through far worse in a 19-year career built on playing through pain.

Bryant moves on

Dallas Cowboys rookie receiver Dez Bryant says he’s done talking about being asked by Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland in a predraft interview if his mother was ever a prostitute.

After his first workout with the Cowboys during a rookie minicamp Friday, Bryant repeatedly said he didn’t want to talk about his interview with Ireland and the controversy that has followed.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to talk about the Cowboys and what I’m doing. I put that in the past,” Bryant said. “I’m just going to move on, I really don’t even want to speak on it anymore.”

Holmes has encounter

Authorities at Pittsburgh International Airport filed an incident report after a flight attendant claimed New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes failed to follow regulations by not turning off his iPod as the plane was landing.

Jets spokesman Bruce Speight said Friday the team was told Holmes was flying from Newark Liberty International Airport to Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Holmes was talked to by officers and reminded to comply with regulations, but was not charged with anything or removed from the flight, contrary to some published reports.

Feagles retires

After 22 NFL seasons, Jeff Feagles still had the desire and passion to play. His body didn’t.

The 44-year-old New York Giants punter announced his retirement after a league-record 352 consecutive games.

The decision was made a little less than two weeks ago while he ate breakfast.

“I just got out of bed and the good Lord told me and sent me a sign that day and said: ‘You know what? You’re done! You’re finished!’ ” Feagles said.

Raiders want Seymour

Oakland coach Tom Cable says the Raiders are negotiating a long-term deal with free agent defensive lineman Richard Seymour on whom they have placed the franchise tag.