Favre-Sterger investigation concludes (Part 2)
Frazier said, "I can't really speak for Brett and how it has affected him on and off the field." He added "I just know that whenever he's in meetings, whenever he's on the practice field, he's been all in, in every situation. I've never thought for a moment
that he wasn't as prepared as well as he's prepared ever."
Frazier also said that the franchise is "extremely supportive of the league office," but he had also been "pulling for Brett and his family."
Goodell also sent a memo to all NFL teams which stated that, "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."
The $50,000 that Favre has been fined will go into a newly instated workplace conduct program throughout the league, although it is meager amount for the quarterback. According to his $16 million contract for the year, it would take Favre about three minutes
of playing time to make $50,000. That’s like a person who makes $50,000 a year being fined about $1.20.
The investigation started in early October after a website posted a video which included voicemails and text messages from Favre to Sterger, including one where he invited her to his hotel room. The former model, who became a Jets gameday hostess and later
a television host, refused to speak about the video. A few weeks after the video went viral, Sterger spoke with NFL investigators and cooperated to the best of her ability according to her manager, Phil Reese.
The league also investigated allegations claiming that Favre harassed two massage therapists who were also with the Jets. However the claims could not be proven because some people with potentially relevant information declined to cooperate or even be interviewed
by investigators.
The editor in chief of the website where the video was posted said that he had paid a third party for the material, and could not guarantee that the material was genuine. The NFL described the analysis in the following manner. They stated that it was "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 also limited because the allegations were brought to the league’s attention two weeks after they allegedly occurred. Favre had resolutely refused to answer questions posed by reporters from the beginning of the investigation. He said
that he already had enough on his plate, worrying about the Vikings’ next opponent.
He retired at the beginning of the season, but was convinced to come back for one more run by three former team-mates. However this season was nothing like their last one, when the Vikings went all the way to the NFC championship game but lost to the New
Orleans Saints. With only 11 touchdowns this season coupled with 19 interceptions, Favre’s 69.9 passer rating is the third lowest in the league after Arizona Cardinals’ Derek Anderson and Carolina Panthers’ rookie Jimmy Clausen.
Favre has also had multiple issues with injuries to his throwing shoulder, ribs, head, chin, and ankle. The strained sternoclavicular joint in his throwing shoulder caused him to miss his first start in over 18 years on 13 December. Despite all his troubles,
Favre insists that he doesn't regret coming back for his 20th season. "If you had seasons like you did last year, every year," he said recently, "I don't think you would appreciate them nearly as much."
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