Brett Favre is a name that resonates with football fans worldwide. Known for his incredible skills on the field, he has earned accolades, including two Super Bowl appearances and a victory with the Green Bay Packers in 1997. However, beneath this celebrated career lies a complex story filled with controversy, questionable decisions, and personal struggles. From scandalous allegations to business blunders, the narrative surrounding Favre challenges the image of the iconic quarterback.
In examining his life after retirement, we find a plethora of issues that have tarnished his legacy. Rumors persist about secret addictions, infidelity, and business dealings that raise eyebrows. As we delve deeper, we will uncover the various facets of Brett Favre's life, revealing the less glamorous side of this football legend.
This exploration not only highlights the darker moments of Favre's life but also serves as a cautionary tale about the pressures and pitfalls faced by public figures. Join us as we navigate through the highs and lows of Brett Favre's journey, shedding light on the complexities behind the man who once captivated millions on the football field.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Brett Favre
- Did He Take His Job Seriously?
- He Allegedly Has a Thing for Racy Text Messages
- He Lied About Alcohol Addiction?
- He Got Wrapped Up in a Bad Business Deal
- Was He a Womanizer?
- He Toyed with Fans' Emotions
- He Promoted a Shady Pain Cream
- Is He a Narcissist?
- He Allegedly Treated His Successor Horribly
- He Bashed the Sport, But Can We Blame Him?
Biography of Brett Favre
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brett Lorenzo Favre |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1969 |
| Position | Quarterback |
| College | Southern Mississippi |
| NFL Teams | Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings |
| Super Bowl Wins | 1 (Super Bowl XXXI) |
| Career Highlights | 3× NFL MVP, 11× Pro Bowl |
Did He Take His Job Seriously?
Favre relied on his natural talent to beat his competitors and complete show-stopping plays on the field. However, some believe he didn’t take the game or his position as quarterback seriously. Those suspicions were somewhat confirmed when Favre admitted that he was clueless about a basic defensive alignment play as an NFL newcomer.
While playing for the Packers, Favre reportedly kept hearing then-coach Mike Holmgren toss around the term "nickel defense." He finally mustered up the courage to ask teammate Ty Detmer what the heck a nickel defense was. Detmer explained that the play involved taking out a linebacker and bringing in a defensive back instead. Once enlightened by Detmer’s football wisdom, Favre says he responded with, “That’s it? Who gives a s**t?”
Not many professional quarterbacks can get away with not knowing simple football terminology, but Favre was unique. He was essentially able to wing it on the field, thanks to his natural athleticism.
He Allegedly Has a Thing for Racy Text Messages
According to Deadspin, when Favre was traded to the New York Jets in 2008, he reportedly took a liking to the team’s game day host, Jenn Sterger. What followed next included MySpace messages that allegedly included his phone number and invitations to contact him. Favre reportedly got his hands on Sterger's phone number and began leaving her voicemails, asking her to meet him at a hotel.
The very married athlete also allegedly sent her unsolicited photos of his private parts. It was never confirmed if Favre was actually the person behind the messages and voicemails, and even the NFL couldn’t determine if he’d violated the league’s personal conduct policy. In the end, Favre was fined $50,000 by the NFL, not for his alleged exploits, but for “failure to cooperate” during the investigation.
That wasn’t the only time Favre was accused of using his cell phone for inappropriate messages. Five days after he was hit with a fine for the Sterger situation, two Jets massage therapists sued him for allegedly sending them racy messages, too. That case was settled in 2013 for an unspecified amount.
He Lied About Alcohol Addiction?
In 1996, the Chicago Tribune reported that Favre suffered a Vicodin-related seizure following ankle surgery, spent 46 days in a rehab facility, and admitted to the league he had a dependency on the painkiller. He voluntarily entered the NFL's substance-abuse program, and the league placed him on a strict alcohol ban, though Favre reportedly fought to have the ban appealed, claiming he was addicted to the opioid pain medication, not to alcohol.
That ban was lifted in 1997, but years later, Jerry Glanville, Favre’s former coach during his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons, claimed the quarterback had battled alcohol problems. The issue resurfaced in May 2018 when the football legend finally came clean to a Sports Illustrated columnist, admitting he’d made three trips to rehab throughout his career.
“When I drank, I drank to excess,” he said, describing fights with staff members at a rehab facility. “They said drinking was the gateway drug for me, and they were right, absolutely right, but I wouldn’t admit it.”
He Got Wrapped Up in a Bad Business Deal
Athletes are frequently chosen to help market a wide range of products. However, as public figures, athletes also shoulder the responsibility of doing their due diligence to ensure all of their business deals are legit. That’s something Brett Favre apparently found out the hard way.
In January 2018, the former NFL player and a company called Sqor Sports were sued for attempting to defraud an investor out of $16 million. According to reports, Favre and the executives made a series of negligent and fraudulent misrepresentations to entice the investor.
CCM accused Sqor of inflating its estimated yearly projections and of lying about its social media reach. At the time of publication, the lawsuit was ongoing.
Was He a Womanizer?
Considering his alleged penchant for inappropriate messages, some fans aren't too surprised that Favre has been accused of being a womanizer before he met his wife, Deanna, and throughout their marriage. Author Jeff Pearlman detailed the former quarterback’s alleged philandering in his book.
In the book, Pearlman claims Favre used his fame to have multiple trysts with various women. Despite all of the cheating allegations, Deanna has stood by her man. In an interview, she discussed how faith has helped her through many difficult struggles.
He Toyed with Fans' Emotions
Brett Favre took an unusual approach to retirement, leaving his fans confused. Favre played the bulk of his career with the Packers, but in March 2008, he announced that he was ready to part ways with football. However, by July 2008, he decided he didn’t want to retire after all and was traded to the New York Jets.
The following year, he told the Jets he was retiring again, citing a shoulder injury, but soon after, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. His repeated retirements led to frustration among fans who were tired of his back-and-forth decisions.
He Promoted a Shady Pain Cream
Favre began endorsing a pain cream called Rx Pro in 2013. During a SiriusXM radio interview, he touted the product's healing properties, stating it was a safe way to treat
