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Brett Favre has been fined $50,000 by
the NFL for a "failure to cooperate" with its investigation into
inappropriate messages and lewd photos he allegedly sent to former
Jets employee Jenn Sterger, a decision her lawyer called extremely
disappointing.


      The league said Wednesday that Commissioner Roger Goodell
"could not conclude" that Favre violated the league's personal
conduct policy based on the evidence currently available to him.


      "The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the
objectionable photographs to Sterger," the statement said. "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 decision comes a couple of weeks after Favre's NFL record
for consecutive starts was snapped at 297 and ahead of the season
finale for the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback, who will
play what may be his last game -- if he's healthy enough.


      The NFL said its sole focus was on whether Favre violated
workplace conduct policy, not to "make judgments about the
appropriateness of personal relationships."


      Favre's fine will help fund a new training program on workplace
conduct around the NFL, Goodell said in a memo sent to clubs
Wednesday, though for the multimillionaire QB the penalty is a
pittance. 

Even while sitting out of Tuesday's game at Philadelphia
because of post-concussion symptoms, Favre essentially earned
$50,000 over about five minutes of action.


      "It clearly shows that an NFL star player was given
preferential treatment, and tells all other players that failure to
cooperate may cost you some money but will not result in other
punishment," said Sterger attorney Joseph Conway, who added there
was "ample evidence" the photos were of Favre.


      "Additionally, today's decision is an affront to all females
and shows once again that, despite tough talk, the NFL remains the
good old boys' league," Conway added.


      Goodell determined 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 league's statement said. The NFL's investigation began
in early October.


      Reaching a conclusion in the case dragged out because of
difficulties in setting up interviews with "certain key
individuals," the complication of retrieving and reviewing
electronic records and Goodell's decision to meet with both Favre
and Sterger before reaching a conclusion, the NFL's statement said.


      The allegations against the three-time MVP surfaced on the
website Deadspin, which posted a video Oct. 7 that included text
messages and voicemails allegedly left by Favre for Sterger in 2008
when they both worked for the Jets, including one in which he
invites her to his hotel. The video ends with several below-the
belt photos - said to be of Favre - which were allegedly sent to
Sterger.


      A former model who was a Jets gameday hostess and later appeared
on the Versus television network, Sterger refused to speak on the
record to the website. Weeks after the story broke, she talked with
league investigators and cooperated fully, according to her
manager.


      Deadspin editor in chief A.J. Daulerio acknowledged paying a
third party for the material it posted on Favre and said that he
could not guarantee the material was genuine.


      Citing unidentified sources, Fox Sports reported earlier that
Favre admitted to NFL investigators that he left the voicemails but
denied sending the inappropriate photos.


      The league also reviewed media reports that Favre pursued two
massage therapists who worked at the Jets' facility in 2008. But
the NFL said that claim could not be substantiated because people
with "potentially relevant information" declined to be
interviewed or cooperate with investigators.


      According to the league, its investigation included the
following: "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
matter was not brought to its attention until two years after it
allegedly occurred, the league said.


      "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," Goodell said
in the memo sent to the teams.


      Conway said that "my client and I are extremely disappointed,
but not surprised" by the ruling. He added that they "strongly
disagree" with Goodell's finding of insufficient evidence to show
a violation of league policy.


      Favre has consistently refused to answer reporters' questions
about the allegations. He said early on that he had enough to worry
about with the Vikings' next opponent, and that's certainly been
true this season.


      Convinced to come back for one more run at a title by three
Minnesota teammates who flew down to see him in Mississippi,
Favre's second year with the Vikings has been nothing like the
charmed run of last season, which ended with a heartbreaking loss
to New Orleans in the NFC championship game.


      Favre also has been battered with injuries to his ankle, chin,
ribs, back, head and throwing shoulder - the one that forced him to
finally miss a start, against the Giants on Dec. 13. But despite
all his troubles, Favre has said all along that he did not regret
coming back for a 20th NFL season.


      "If you had seasons like you did last year, every year, I don't
think you would appreciate them nearly as much," said Favre
recently. 


He also has said this season will be his last - though he
has retired and unretired before.

Gallery

Webb, Peterson help Vikings upset Eagles 24-14

Favre knocked out as Bears beat Vikings 40-14

Manager: Sterger meets with NFL over Favre 'sexting'

Crime, Law and Justice

Sports

Dave Campbell, Associated Press

Author

The NFL has fined Brett Favre $50,000 for a
"failure to cooperate" with the investigation into allegations he
sent inappropriate messages and lewd photos to a former New York
Jets game-day hostess, a decision her lawyer called extremely disappointing.

NFL fines Favre $50K for 'failure to cooperate'

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