Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Favre Fined $50,000

Brett Favre has been fined $50,000 by the NFL.

From the New York Times:

Brett Favre, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback whose 20-year career is likely to end after this weekend, was fined $50,000 by the National Football League Wednesday for failing to cooperate with the league’s investigation into graphic photos and suggestive messages he was accused of sending to a woman while both were employed by the Jets in 2008.

The N.F.L. said it found no evidence that Favre’s behavior toward Jenn Sterger violated league policy about workplace conduct. The N.F.L. made clear that its policies do not extend to private conduct and do not pass judgment on the appropriateness of personal relations.

“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 N.F.L.’s statement said. “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.”

The league added:

“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 N.F.L. 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.”

Favre was fined for not being "candid in several respects during the investigation," NOT for sexually harassing Jenn Sterger and other women in the NFL workplace.

In other words, don't worry NFL players. Engage in sexually abusive behavior. You won't be held accountable as long as you aren't candid during any investigation. You'll be fined a pittance, $50,000.

Goodell wimped out.

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From Deadspin, Favre photos and voicemail.

3 comments:

Mike said...

You don't think the NFL would have taken more significant action if they had the evidence?

Mary said...

I'm saying the NFL will let a player off with a measly fine if he doesn't cooperate with a sexual harassment investigation. There will be no other punishment.

Nice legacy - the Favre rule.

Harvey Finkelstein said...

It'll never stick. This will go away after the season.