When the long-awaited confirmation came last week (via Deadspin) that Brett Favre had, indeed, sent pictures of his junk to Jenn Sterger, reaction from the sports world was immediate. Many thought Deadspin shouldn't have dignified Favre's actions or Sterger's claims with space on the site. Others thought it was wrong to put Favre's family through any sort of fallout. But honestly, I think 90 percent of us out there just sat back and enjoyed it.
What does that say about us, or this incident? Are we a culture in decline? Are we so obsessed with the celebrity news-driven media that we'll even pay attention to ridiculous stories like this? Have we lost our sense of dignity and respect?
While the answer to some of those questions might, in fact be yes, in this case I don't think we should judge ourselves too harshly. We care about this story for one simple reason: it's freaking hilarious.
Aside from the disturbing sexual harassment aspects of Favre's actions, the story itself is what makes this funny.
Brett Favre, 11-time Pro Bowler, three-time NFL MVP, father of two and husband of one, saw something he liked while a member of the New York Jets in 2008. That something was Jenn Sterger, a girl who parlayed internet notoriety as one of the FSU Cowgirls into a career as a model and sports personality. Sterger worked for the Jets in 2008 when Favre was there.
Apparently they spoke in passing before Favre dug up her MySpace account and sent her some odd messages. Then he got her phone number through other Jets personnel and started calling her... and leaving messages... about how much he wanted to see her at his hotel.
Eventually the relationship blossomed (on Favre's end) and the quarterback thought it would be a good idea to send Sterger multiple pictures of his little Viking.
What makes this story so funny is that Favre has been held up as the bastion of all things great in football for the past 15 years. ESPN, John Madden and the NFL have made him the example of what every player in the league should be. Tough, gritty, talented and a special person on and off the field.
So it's more than slightly amusing to find out that Favre is just as flawed, insecure and idiotic as the next guy.
If you listen to Favre's voicemails, he's clearly shocked that Sterger hasn't thrown herself at him yet. He's almost angry that she's ignored his advances. What guy hasn't gotten insecure after being rebuffed by a woman? The thing is, not many of those guys have a Super Bowl ring or hold virtually every major NFL passing record.
What gets me is Favre's mindset during this one-sided courtship.
What was he possibly thinking by sending those pictures? It had to have gone something like this: "Well Jenn you've turned me down so far, but what do you think of this!"
What was he expecting to happen? That Sterger, who had ignored his immaturity to that point, would see a picture of his hog and throw herself at him?
Then after that didn't work once, why did he send more? Dude, Brett, take a hint buddy. She doesn't like you or your digit, move on man.
The 41-year-old Favre refuses to respond to the allegations but the NFL is aggressively investigating the claims under its personal conduct policy.
Favre's family has yet to respond as well but don't be surprised if other women begin to come out of the woodwork alleging the same treatment Sterger got. Reportedly, two other Jets staff members have come forward saying they received the same treatment as Sterger.
Come on people, it's OK to laugh at this one. After the avalanche of revelations concerning Tiger Woods last year, a funny "athlete not getting sex scandal" might be just what we all need.
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But after this, and Rothlisberger's off the grid behavior, I think it's time for an NFL junk mug shot book. Line all of them up, pull down their pants, shoot away; then, when this happens again, we'll know for sure.
Well, maybe if you're male-people. Female-people, not so much. The majority of women I know have been sexually harassed one time or another, many in the workplace and some by associates deemed to be"superior." Most handle it the way Sterger did: pretend it isn't happening and hope it stops. My own elderly mother told me recently that she had been repeatedly, unwantedly propositioned by our family doctor, but had been afraid to tell because 1.he was the only doctor in our tiny town, 2.she thought no one would believe her because he was "well-respected," and 3. she feared my father would kill him. Her solution? She went without healthcare for years.
So maybe it SEEMS funny when an attractive woman who obviously seeks limelight and attention for her own career, does have recourse at her disposal, and perhaps just got different attention than she bargained for. But would it be so hilarious if she were YOUR daughter ... wife ... or even mother?
So laugh if you want to laugh at the star quarterback who perhaps doesn't have as much in his Wrangler jeans as some of his fans had imagined. But while you're laughing, remember other people are in this story. A wife who's sitting at home no doubt feeling humiliated. And a co-worker who didn't ask to have this notorious employment story on her resume.
New York Jets Exec: Man, we need a sideline reporter. Forgetting interviewing for the job, just get some hot chick to do it.
Jenn Sterger: I'm not interested in grandpa at all and he sent me pictures of his unit, YUCK! But I'll keep the pics for awhile because they're bound to come in handy someday.
You can't hold up Brett Favre as a role model like us because he's not like us. He lives in a different world where stuff like the above happens. The rest of us don't. We live in the real one.
So when he does something stupid, he should expect MANY to talk about it
His fault for retiring, not retiring, and doing things to be talked about every off-season
Then again, ick, I checked out the photos and tapes, why did I do that? Did he learn NOTHING from Tiger? Do these men not understand the media?
Ick.
Enjoy your crow, kid. Learn to fact check.
Each year, for the past few years, it amazes me how many people care whether or not he comes back. So he unretires. So what? How does that affect you? You're sick of reading stories about whether or not he comes back? Don't read them.
I do watch Pro Footbl-I can't have an opinion?
True? He keeps retiring and unretiring.
Where will he play next year; Canadian Pro football?
The recent news re his Dalliances while he played for the NYJets does show his personality
I guess I'm just sick of how money rules decisions in sports.
Wish him well-watch out for those defensive linemen Brett