Favre avoids suspension, fined $50,000 by NFL

[LLT]

Favre avoids suspension, fined $50,000 by NFL
12/29/2010 12:25:50 PM | More
theredzone.org

Nate Davis of USA Today reports that Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was fined $50,000 Wednesday by commissioner Roger Goodell for his lack of cooperation amid an investigation that Favre sent inappropriate messages to former New York Jets game day hostess Jenn Sterger in 2008. Favre was the team's quarterback that season.


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[tube517]

Brett Favre

[fansince'76]

I'm surprised he got fined at all.

Favre has made it clear that 2010, his 20th year in the NFL, will be his last.

Sure. Just like 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006....

[NCSteeler]

Now you can be fined for not implicating yourself.

[HometownGal]

That drama king piece of shit got away with one here. Had this been Ben or another Steeler, he would have received a much larger fine and a 3-4 game suspension. Once again, one of the golden boys scores. Goodumbell.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Just more bullshit favoritism from Goodell. Ben gets suspended 4 games for being accused of something and Favre only gets fined $50k for "not cooperating" despite the fact that Sterger still had the pics and texts. Nice how they also drug the whole thing out the whole year so that Brett wouldn't be bothered during the season.

[steeldawg]

50,000 dollars for sending a text!!!???? And the fact that peoplle are complaining he got off easy is crazy. If I was Brett I would give goodell the finger and say im retiring.

[silver & black]

Did any of you really think it was going to be different?

[T&B fan]

Did any of you really think it was going to be different?

no

[st33lersguy]

Of course Goodell wasn't going to suspend one of his favorite players. He didn't suspend rank players like Cedric Benson and Vince Young who nobody cares about. No way he was going to suspend the "almighty" Brett Favre

[salamander]

What was he gonna get suspended from? After the beating he's taken this season I'd say he's FINALLY ready to hang up the cleats.

Oh that's right. Brett Favre.

[Chidi29]

If anything, the punishment is pretty harsh.

Favre got fined for not violating a single rule, according to the NFL.

[X-Terminator]

The major problem I have with this is the way it was handled. With Ben, he was pretty much hanged from day one, without one shred of proof that he committed any crime. Favre, however, was able to get a free pass all season with barely a mention in the media when compared to Ben, AND they actually have proof of the "sexts" that were sent. Before today, when was the last time anyone mentioned this investigation? Can't be anything other than preferential treatment.

That said, I do agree that 50 large for choosing not to incriminate yourself is pretty harsh.

[Chidi29]

The major problem I have with this is the way it was handled. With Ben, he was pretty much hanged from day one, without one shred of proof that he committed any crime. Favre, however, was able to get a free pass all season with barely a mention in the media when compared to Ben, AND they actually have proof of the "sexts" that were sent. Before today, when was the last time anyone mentioned this investigation? Can't be anything other than preferential treatment.

That said, I do agree that 50 large for choosing not to incriminate yourself is pretty harsh.

Let's face it, sexual assualt is a more serious allegation than sexual harassment. When you're comparing allegded rape to sending a couple pictures on your phone, there's no comparison.

Do I think Ben got fair treatment? No. But that's the way media works in today's world.

[X-Terminator]

Let's face it, sexual assualt is a more serious allegation than sexual harassment. When you're comparing allegded rape to sending a couple pictures on your phone, there's no comparison.

Do I think Ben got fair treatment? No. But that's the way media works in today's world.

Doesn't matter. Goodell set the precedent by suspending Ben without any evidence of a crime committed. He ignored that precedent by allowing Favre and several others to get away with actual crimes committed without a suspension. And let's face it, sexual harassment is a crime. Therefore, Favre should have been suspended especially since they have PROOF of the crime committed, which they never had in Ben's case. After all, it's all about "protecting the shield", right? You can claim we are being unreasonable if you want, you can apologize for Goodell if you want, but that is the bottom line. It's HIS FAULT Steelers fans have the feeling that Ben got the shaft...no pun intended.

[Chidi29]

Doesn't matter. Goodell set the precedent by suspending Ben without any evidence of a crime committed. He ignored that precedent by allowing Favre and several others to get away with actual crimes committed without a suspension. And let's face it, sexual harassment is a crime. Therefore, Favre should have been suspended especially since they have PROOF of the crime committed, which they never had in Ben's case. After all, it's all about "protecting the shield", right? You can claim we are being unreasonable if you want, you can apologize for Goodell if you want, but that is the bottom line. It's HIS FAULT Steelers fans have the feeling that Ben got the shaft...no pun intended.

It seems like these are two different punishments based on two different findings.

Goodell is saying there isn't enough evidence to show that Favre violated either the workplace conduct policy or personal conduct policy. He is being fined for not cooperating.

Goodell obviously decided there was enough evidence in Ben's case. Mainly due to the nature of the allegation. With Ben, you can point to him being in the same place as the girl. With Favre, it's tough to say if he had any sort of contact with her.

I'm not condoning sexual harassment and it is most certainly a crime but they are two different accusations.

[Wallace108]

Goodell is saying there isn't enough evidence to show that Favre violated either the workplace conduct policy or personal conduct policy. He is being fined for not cooperating.

And there was no provable evidence Ben committed a crime either. If there was, he would have been charged with something.

Goodell obviously decided there was enough evidence in Ben's case. Mainly due to the nature of the allegation. With Ben, you can point to him being in the same place as the girl. With Favre, it's tough to say if he had any sort of contact with her.

The only thing Ben was guilty of is drinking in a bar with some young women. Being in the same place as someone automatically makes you guilty if you're accused of something?

I'm not condoning sexual harassment and it is most certainly a crime but they are two different accusations.

The key word here is accusations.

[HometownGal]

I've read this on several sites, including AOL, but am posting this version. Obviously, there was evidence that the Drama King sent lewd and lascivious photos to this woman but Goododo turned a blind eye to it and slapped him on the wrist with a pittance of a fine.

Brett Favre Accuser -- The NFL Is a Sexist League


Jenn Sterger's lawyer just released a statement saying, "While I am not privy to how Mr. Goodell reached such a finding, we strongly disagree with his conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to support a violation of the policy."

Jenn's lawyer continues, "Our evidence and the personal testimony of Ms. Sterger clearly showed a pattern of lewd and offensive behavior by Mr. Favre that lasted all of the 2008 season."

He adds, "Our evidence clearly showed that the photos were sent by Favre."

If you wish to read the entire statement made by Sterger's lawyer, click on the photo in the link.

Read more at: http://www.tmz.com/2010/12/29/brett-...-disappointed/

[X-Terminator]

Mmmm-hm!

Chidi, you know I respect you, but what do you have to say about this one? If Jenn Sterger's lawyer is telling the truth, then Der Kommissar deliberately and blatantly ignored the evidence against Lord Favre and fined him less than James Harrison got for making a football play on the field. But he had no problem throwing the book at Ben over an accusation and ZERO evidence. As intelligent as you are, you can't see the problem here? Come on, man! I don't understand why you keep defending this guy. He is a fraud as a commissioner and needs to be fired.

[Chidi29]

Mmmm-hm!

Chidi, you know I respect you, but what do you have to say about this one? If Jenn Sterger's lawyer is telling the truth, then Der Kommissar deliberately and blatantly ignored the evidence against Lord Favre and fined him less than James Harrison got for making a football play on the field. But he had no problem throwing the book at Ben over an accusation and ZERO evidence. As intelligent as you are, you can't see the problem here? Come on, man! I don't understand why you keep defending this guy. He is a fraud as a commissioner and needs to be fired.

I respect you, I respect all of you guys, but this is such a terrible argument to make.

Because the accuser's lawyer says something, it's credible? That's bias in the most obvious sense. Its his/her job to slam the league for an unfavorable ruling.

Do we believe the women in Georgia's lawyer just because she thinks Ben is guilty and should have been charged of a crime? Or how about the woman in Reno? If her lawyer comes out and says that the Nevada police are playing favorties to protect Ben, would you believe her? Would you defend her?

You wouldn't. You'd rip the lawyer a new one. You'd laugh it off as a bogus, tailor-made statment made by any competent lawyer. I'd do the exact same thing.

What evidence? We have no idea what was presented.

Besides, the NFL has clearly shown it's not sexist as her lawyer claims. We know that first hand with the suspension Ben got.

And me having to click on a link to TMZ? I vowed I'd never do that.

[X-Terminator]

I respect you, I respect all of you guys, but this is such a terrible argument to make.

Because the accuser's lawyer says something, it's credible? That's bias in the most obvious sense. Its his/her job to slam the league for an unfavorable ruling.

Do we believe the women in Georgia's lawyer just because she thinks Ben is guilty and should have been charged of a crime? Or how about the woman in Reno? If her lawyer comes out and says that the Nevada police are playing favorties to protect Ben, would you believe her? Would you defend her?

You wouldn't. You'd rip the lawyer a new one. You'd laugh it off as a bogus, tailor-made statment made by any competent lawyer. I'd do the exact same thing.

What evidence? We have no idea what was presented.

Besides, the NFL has clearly shown it's not sexist as her lawyer claims. We know that first hand with the suspension Ben got.

And me having to click on a link to TMZ? I vowed I'd never do that.

How is it a terrible argument? I said IF her lawyer is telling the truth, then it means Goodell decided to ignore it and only fine Favre rather than suspend him. Which means that it's a clear-cut case of favoritism. They don't have any evidence of the "sexts?" They still have the messages in question which I'm fairly certain the league has seen since they conducted their investigation. I'd consider that evidence, even if you do not.

[Chidi29]

How is it a terrible argument? I said IF her lawyer is telling the truth, then it means Goodell decided to ignore it and only fine Favre rather than suspend him. Which means that it's a clear-cut case of favoritism. They don't have any evidence of the "sexts?" They still have the messages in question which I'm fairly certain the league has seen since they conducted their investigation. I'd consider that evidence, even if you do not.

Yeah, if the lawyer is completely true. Considering the nature of her job, defending her client, you're likely not getting the whole truth. I could just as easily bring up Goodell's statements and say IF he is telling the truth, it's a fair ruling. You'd disagree with that idea, no? This is a classic "he said, she said" argument where neither side can be fully trusted.

And as far as the sexts go, it's not an issue of whether or not Sterger got any. She did. It's a matter of tracing it back to Favre which couldn't be done.

[stlrtruck]

Yeah, if the lawyer is completely true. Considering the nature of her job, defending her client, you're likely not getting the whole truth. I could just as easily bring up Goodell's statements and say IF he is telling the truth, it's a fair ruling. You'd disagree with that idea, no? This is a classic "he said, she said" argument where neither side can be fully trusted.

And as far as the sexts go, it's not an issue of whether or not Sterger got any. She did. It's a matter of tracing it back to Favre which couldn't be done.

I would trust her lawyer over Goodell any day. IMO, Goodell has proven that he is a man of many words, many empty words! Example: Early in his taking the office, he spoke of the integrity of the league, but yet he has failed to truly hold the integrity of the league entirely in his grasp.

[silver & black]

The only thing Ben was guilty of is drinking in a bar with some young women. Being in the same place as someone automatically makes you guilty if you're accused of something?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't said young woman corralled in a restroom with Ben, while is buddies gaurded the door?

That is a bit more than just "drinking in a bar with some young women"... no?

[HometownGal]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't said young woman corralled in a restroom with Ben, while is buddies gaurded the door?

That is a bit more than just "drinking in a bar with some young women"... no?

Ok - so maybe he got a little "poontang" while in the restroom and if so, there was no evidence that the act wasn't anything but consensual. Though Ben should have exercised better judgment, there is no law that says two people can't have consensual sex in a restroom. The worst that could happen is that the bar owner could toss you and your partner out of his establishment. Hell - I did it several times in my wild younger years. As to his buddies "guarding the door" - I had one of my friends "guarding" the door when I did it so no one would walk in on us having a purely consensual romp in the restroom.

In this case, there obviously is damning evidence against the Drama King that Goodumbell and the NFL is ignoring because of his "status", which is unadulterated bullshit.

[X-Terminator]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't said young woman corralled in a restroom with Ben, while is buddies gaurded the door?

That is a bit more than just "drinking in a bar with some young women"... no?

It doesn't make him guilty of a crime either, which is the entire point being made.

[Just George]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't said young woman corralled in a restroom with Ben, while is buddies gaurded the door?

That is a bit more than just "drinking in a bar with some young women"... no?

If I am not mistaken the statements made by the "accuser" and her friends were contradictory and inconsistent. what did or did not happen in that bathroom is unknown. What is know is the GBI and prosecutor did not file charges of any kind against Ben. His suspension was based on the negative impact his decision made on the image of the NFL. Now honestly has Mr. Favre's alleged actions reflected as poorly, U betcha

[Psycho Ward 86]

Oh nooess what will Brett ever do trying to cover this large sum of money

[stillers4me]

He should be suspended just for having a teenyweenie after all the years that we females imagined he filled those Wranglers like a bull.

That is a crime in itself.

[HometownGal]

He should be suspended just for having a teenyweenie after all the years that we females imagined he filled those Wranglers like a bull.

That is a crime in itself.

He's going to give Needle Dick the Bug Fucker some real competition.