Well, since this was also a sports media story as well as an NFL story, we are presenting you with the complete statement from the National Football League in regards to the Brett Favre/Jenn Sterger situation. It’s not the punishment or suspension that Sterger nor her lawyer are looking for. Favre will not be suspended, but he will be fined. The NFL says it could not determine if the schlong shots that were texted to Sterger were from Favre. This all stems from when both Favre and Sterger were with the New York Jets and she claimed she was harassed by the quarterback. Commissioner Roger Goodell says based on the evidence, he could not determine if Favre violated workplace conduct policies.
In addition, the league said any additional claims of alleged harassment by Favre of other female Jets employees could not be substantiated. So Favre won’t lose any playing time, and may play if physically able on Sunday. Sterger’s lawyers did not file a lawsuit yesterday which was the two year anniversary of the first alleged sexting incident. The New Jersey Statute of Limitations on sexual harassment claims is two years. That deadline has apparently passed, but as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes, Sterger’s lawyers may be looking at another date to possibly file a lawsuit.
It’s all sticky, not to make a pun here. This is the statement in full from the National Football League. Thanks to the NFL public relations for sending this over.
NO VIOLATION OF LEAGUE POLICY ESTABLISHED IN FAVRE INVESTIGATION;FAVRE FINED $50,000 FOR LACK OF COOPERATIONThe NFL issued the following statement today regarding the Brett Favre-Jenn Sterger matter:The NFL office conducted an investigation to determine whether Brett Favre’s interaction with New York Jets game-day employee Jenn Sterger in 2008 violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy.In reviewing the matter, the sole focus was on whether there was a violation of league policies regarding conduct in the workplace. NFL policies do not extend to private conduct or make judgments about the appropriateness of personal relationships, except where that conduct or those relationships raise issues under the law or league policies.The investigation included an analysis of publicly available reports; a series of interviews with knowledgeable individuals, including Sterger and Favre; a review of communications between the two furnished to our office; and independent forensic analysis of electronically stored material. The investigation was limited in several respects because the conduct occurred in 2008 but was not brought to our attention until this fall. As a result, certain records and individuals were unavailable to the NFL.The investigation also reviewed a second media report about allegations involving other women who worked at the Jets’ facility in 2008. Misconduct by Favre regarding that claim was unable to be substantiated because individuals with potentially relevant information declined to be interviewed or otherwise cooperate with the investigation. In addition, our investigation took longer than might ordinarily have been the case due to difficulties in arranging to speak with certain key individuals, the time required to retrieve and review stored electronic records, and Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to meet personally with both Favre and Sterger before making a decision.On the basis of the evidence currently available to him, Commissioner Goodell could not conclude that Favre violated league policies relating to workplace conduct. The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger. The review found no evidence to contradict the statements of both Favre and Sterger that they never met in person, nor was there anything to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct.However, Commissioner Goodell also determined that Favre was not candid in several respects during the investigation, resulting in a longer review and additional negative public attention for Favre, Sterger, and the NFL. The commissioner notified Favre that he has been fined $50,000 for his failure to cooperate with the investigation in a forthcoming manner. Commissioner Goodell stated to Favre that if he had found a violation of the league’s workplace conduct policies, he would have imposed a substantially higher level of discipline.In a memo to clubs today, Commissioner Goodell reminded them of the serious nature of this matter and stated that NFL policies make no excuses for improper or potentially unlawful conduct in the workplace. “Every member of every club’s staff should be able to work in an environment free of harassment or hostility, and one in which every employee is valued, respected, and given a full opportunity to contribute to the goals of the club and the NFL,” Commissioner Goodell said. “Our new training program on workplace conduct will help all of us to promote the right kind of environment for all employees and I intend to dedicate the fine I have imposed on Favre to help fund that training program.”
And that will do it. While I hope this is the end of this story, me thinks we haven’t heard the last for a while.
