Vikings/Jets Takes Back Seat to Favre’s Follies

Monday, October 11, 2010

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

So let’s see if we have this right. In 2008, Brett Favre allegedly sent inappropriate messages and photos to a Jets female employee who is hotter than two rats humpin’ in a wool sock. And, coincidentally (or not), Favre and his Vikings just so happen to be playing the Jets tonight at the Meadowlands. Is that about it?

This is the side story which has become the headline story leading into tonight’s Monday Night Football Game between Minnesota and New York which has stirred up the New York tabloids like a tornado in a trailer park.

Reports yesterday claim that the NFL is aggressively investigating these allegations hoping to come to some type of resolution sooner rather than later. But there’s a few problems here that don’t pass the “smell test,” if you know what I mean.

First, are we to believe that the alleged victim – Jenn Sterger decided to, on her own, come out with this news some two years after the fact because she couldn’t live with the shame of it any longer? If this really did take place, and Favre has yet to deny that it did, why didn’t Sterger do something about it immediately?

Second, are we also to believe that the Jets organization – for whom both Favre and Sterger worked for in 2008 – knew nothing about this? I don’t think so. In all likelihood, they knew about it when Favre was a Jet but chose to keep it quiet for obvious reasons. Now that it can benefit the organization by creating a major distraction for Favre heading into tonight’s game, apparently it’s the right time to make this information public.

Whatever the real facts might be, there seems to be lots of reasons to question the motives of all involved.

First, how could Favre, or anyone today be so naïve to think that sending such pictures and messages would remain private forever?

Second, if Sterger is behind the release of this information, why wait until now? Was she not bothered by this in 2008 when it allegedly occurred? Or, is now the time to cash in on a great financial opportunity?

And what about the Jets? If, as an organization, they knew anything about this prior to it being made public this week, they should be punished severely by the NFL and a court of law just as Favre should if found guilty.

Sadly, what will probably happen with this case is the following:

The NFL will complete its “thorough” investigation which will shockingly not uncover enough evidence to indict Favre. Therefore, they will not punish the league’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. What they won’t tell you is that they don’t want any part of tarnishing the image of one of their all-time greats because it’s bad for business.

Furthermore, Favre currently has a record 288 consecutive regular season starts streak still alive. Do you really think that the NFL wants to end that streak with a suspension for his having texted a photo of “little Brett” to Sterger?

What will probably happen is that the league will get all of the parties together – i.e. Favre, his attorney, Sterger and her attorney – to hammer out a deal on the QT.

Sterger will likely be compensated very nicely for her aggravation and her agreement to remain silent while Favre and the NFL skate happily into the future.

You’d like to think that something like this won’t happen. Then again, you’d like to believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.