My Two Cents on the Favre/Sterger Scandal

As anyone with a computer or TV has heard by now, Brett Favre has been accused of harassing and sending inappropriate pictures to reporter Jenn Sterger during the season Favre played for the Jets. Sterger was a sideline reporter for the Jets at the time.

Now, two years after Favre left the Jets, stories have been surfacing saying that Favre (who is married, by the way) not only called Sterger and left voicemails asking to see her, but had also sent pictures of his genitalia via cellphone. Deadspin broke the story with this article, containing a video with both the voicemails and the pictures.

This is a tricky situation for the NFL.

On one hand, the NFL has an image to uphold. Recent cases of misconduct have been handled very strictly by the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell. Ben Roethlisberger was suspended several games after sexual assault charges, Plaxico Burress is in jail after conviction on illegal possession of weapons, and Michael Vick is attempting to rebuild his career after serving jail time for running a dogfighting ring. Goodell has proven to be a disciplinary commissioner, and has not been lenient in cases of misconduct.

On the other hand, Brett Favre is a much bigger name than any of these players. He has been the posterchild of the NFL for the past 20 years. He currently holds an NFL record for the most consecutive starts by a quarterback, (291) a stat that has bested drug addictions, family crises and numerous injuries. The NFL will be extremely cautious with its decision about Favre, as he has much more national exposure than the majority of NFL players.

This causes a problem.

Sterger is worried, with good reason, that Favre will finish out the 2010 season and retire before he is ever brought to justice for his actions. Favre has already said he will be retiring at the end of the season. While we've heard that before, his performance on the field this season is showing heavy signs of his age, and it appears he may really be done for good at the end of the season. Therefore, the possibility exists for Favre to retire without punishment for his actions.

The NFL has a tough decision to make. Punishing Favre will essentially vilify one of the NFL's most popular figures. Letting him walk away clean will show that the NFL is either not taking the situation seriously or afraid to take action against a high-profile figure.

I think the NFL needs to make a decision before the end of the season.  Sterger's lawyer has stated that the NFL finished its investigation, yet the NFL has stated they are not ready to make a decision.

If no decision is made before the end of the season, Favre will walk away from the NFL. His punishment will not affect his career.

The NFL needs to take a stand, and continue to deal with misconduct in the same fashion as the Roethlisberger, Burress and Vick cases.

Yes, I am a Packer fan. Yes, I was deeply upset that Brett Favre went to play for the Vikings. But don't think this I am writing this to crucify Favre for leaving the Pack. Favre went to Minnesota because that was the best chance for him to win a Super Bowl - how can you blame the guy for that?

Brett Favre and football are synonyms in my mind. I grew up watching and worshiping Favre. I am amazed that Favre still has the desire to compete at the elite level after 20 seasons of bone-crunching hits. The man is simply amazing at what he does.

However, misconduct is misconduct. As a professional human, Favre must take responsibility for his actions.