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15 Years Later: Jenn Sterger Breaks Silence on Brett Favre’s Sexting Scandal

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The Netflix documentary “Untold: The Fall of Favre,” released today, delves into two scandals that have tarnished the reputation of Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. These include accusations of inappropriate behavior towards former New York Jets field reporter Jenn Sterger in 2008, and allegations of misuse of public welfare funds in Mississippi. In the Mississippi case, funds were reportedly directed to Favre’s alma mater, Southern Mississippi, for a volleyball facility where his daughter played, and to a company specializing in concussion treatment, in which Favre was a significant investor. (Favre has maintained his innocence regarding the Mississippi case and has not been criminally charged; he has never publicly addressed the harassment allegations.)

The film reveals that Favre is accused of sending explicit images without consent to Sterger during his sole season with the Jets, and Sterger becomes the main character upholding moral values in “The Fall of Favre,” a production jointly made by TIME Studios. In 2010, when Favre’s reckless behavior was exposed two years after the incident, Sterger found herself entangled in a sensational tabloid drama that disrupted her flourishing media career.

Brett Favre, who has been married to Deanna since 1996, is said to have admitted to leaving voice messages for Sterger, but denied sending explicit photos to NFL investigators. In “The Fall of Favre,” however, Sterger presents a strong argument that Favre, who did not take part in the documentary, sent inappropriate messages. When asked by TIME if she had a message for Favre after more than 15 years, Sterger declined. “I’m not quite ready for that yet,” she says. “I’m still working through it all.” She pauses before adding, “It’s difficult to forgive someone who hasn’t expressed remorse and doesn’t seem concerned about the harm they’ve caused.” She continues, “I don’t believe he loses sleep over me or the people in Mississippi.

(A representative for Favre did not respond to TIME’s request for comment.) 

Sterger’s case underscores the frequent mistreatment of women, particularly in the entertainment industry, prior to the #MeToo movement. Women like Monica Lewinsky, Janet Jackson, and Britney Spears were often unfairly maligned while men such as President Clinton, Justin Timberlake, or those responsible for Britney’s conservatorship faced less severe consequences. Recent cultural artifacts like essays, podcasts, films, and documentaries have helped redefine the narratives surrounding these “controversial” figures, shedding light on power abuses and biased portrayals.

Examining the case of Brett Favre, it’s worth revisiting the names like Sterger who were unfairly stereotyped during the scandal. The Favre saga was shocking, as it implicated a highly respected NFL quarterback in some troubling allegations during the latter part of his illustrious career with the Green Bay Packers (1992-2007). Sterger maintains that she never had any contact with Favre. In an emphatic statement to TIME, she emphasizes, “I NEVER MET HIM.” She did not give permission for her communications with Favre, which were leaked in Deadspin, to be made public. As a result of this exposure, Sterger lost potential job opportunities and was blamed for bringing down an idol.

In the documentary, Sterger admits she capitalized on a market that catered to male sports enthusiasts, who often favored attractive young women. She posed for magazines like Playboy and Maxim, and sometimes wore clothing that was form-fitting or revealing in her work. However, it’s important to note that she did not force Favre to behave inappropriately.

In one particularly uncomfortable scene from the documentary, a radio host from New York City appears to blame Sterger for the alleged workplace harassment she experienced. Craig Carton asked Sterger in 2011, “Why are we surprised that a football player wanted to sleep with you? You were selling sex. He bought it.

“My life was ruined,” says Sterger in The Fall of Favre. “And he went to the Hall of Fame.” 

Prior to both Sterger and Favre joining the Jets in 2008, Sterger had already built a following online, which predates platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. A band geek from Tampa, she was one of the earliest influencers, well before the term became widely known. Her life took an unexpected turn during a nationally televised Florida State-Miami football game in 2005, when she cheered for Florida State (where she was a student) on TV. That night was particularly humid, and Sterger had worn a cowboy hat and bikini top due to beer being spilled on her shirt while bartending earlier that day. She decided to wear the bathing suit beneath and this caught the attention of ABC play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger. “Fifteen hundred red-blooded Americans,” Musburger commented during the broadcast, “just applied to Florida State tonight.

In a manner reminiscent of the viral sensations of 2005, Sterger’s influence skyrocketed on discussion forums, MySpace, and a nascent platform called Facebook. This led to her being given an online show by Sports Illustrated, one of the pioneers in sports media. In 2008, the Jets recruited her as an in-game host, with aspirations of becoming the next Erin Andrews or Suzy Kolber. However, when the world discovered rumors about Favre’s messages on her phone, opportunities started to dwindle. As Sterger puts it, “I was labeled a problem.” Her talk show on Versus (later known as NBC Sports Network) was terminated. She chose to collaborate with the NFL’s investigation into the incident. In contrast, Favre opted not to, resulting in an $50,000 fine from the NFL. During that season, he was earning over $11.5 million with the Minnesota Vikings.

According to Sterger, he told Roger Goodell during the investigation that “he’s highly valuable to them, even in retirement.” He added that Goodell got defensive when he suggested he wouldn’t take any action against him. Sterger clarified that he wasn’t saying Goodell couldn’t act, but rather, he believed he wouldn’t. Afterward, Sterger apologized to Goodell, stating, “I’m sorry I didn’t turn out to be as naive as you expected.” (The NFL chose not to comment on the matter.)

Sterger shared that she had rejected numerous documentary proposals prior to working with Rebecca Gitlitz, the two-time Emmy award-winning director of “Under Pressure,” a 2023 Netflix docuseries focusing on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. Sterger was impressed by Gitlitz’s ability to earn her trust and keep her promise of fair treatment. As Sterger explains, she was taken aback by the extent to which her personal background was included in the documentary. She emphasized that she didn’t want to be portrayed as a mere “talking head” or a victim. While Brett’s actions towards her were reprehensible, Sterger felt they weren’t as severe as others might experience. Instead, she believes there should be more discussion on the unequal power dynamics that need attention.

Approximately a decade ago, Sterger ventured into stand-up comedy and intends to discuss candidly her widely publicized past experiences on stage. She harbors no animosity towards Musburger’s 2005 remarks, which significantly impacted the course of her life, or any other subsequent events. “Without those experiences,” Sterger reflects, “I wouldn’t be the person I am today.” Therapy has been instrumental in helping her cope with intense public scrutiny and embarrassment. She frequently shares insights with aspiring sports journalists on navigating potential career pitfalls. “I’m pleased with who I’ve become,” Sterger says. “I find fulfillment in using my experiences to aid others, as that’s what really matters.

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2025-05-20 21:12

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