Here
The most disturbing sideshow of this NFL season is finally coming to a close.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has fined Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre $50,000 over the Jenn Sterger fiasco, the league announced Wednesday.
However, Favre wasn't found to have violated league policy with regards to Sterger: He was fined for failing to cooperate with the league's investigation.
FOXSports.com first reported that Favre was going to be fined.
The NFL issued a statement, noting that Favre "was not candid in several respects during the investigation."
The release stated Favre was fined for "his failure to cooperate with the investigation in a forthcoming manner."
The league wanted to make a ruling before the end of the season but did not want to do it on New Year's Day.
The NFL was still interviewing and gathering information on the case as recently as last week.
Sterger, a former New York Jets media personality, had claimed Favre sexually harassed her when both were with the New York franchise in 2008.
Favre allegedly sent Sterger inappropriate text and phone messages, as well as photos of his genitalia. The allegations were first reported by Deadspin.com.
Favre admitted to leaving Sterger voice messages but denied sending her lewd photographs.
The NFL's investigation began in October, but the league did not talk directly with Sterger until Nov. 11.
In recent weeks, Sterger's camp had expressed concern a decision would not be forthcoming before the end of the regular season. Favre has said repeatedly this would be his final season. And while the 41-year-old quarterback has made that claim previously — not to mention, frequently — in his career, there is ample reason to believe him this time.
Unlike last year, when Favre was an MVP candidate and helped lead the Vikings to the NFC title game, this season has been much more difficult. With Favre struggling, the Vikings got off to a 3-7 start, resulting in the firing of head coach Brad Childress.
Favre has also had a hard time staying healthy this year. His NFL-record streak of 297 consecutive starts came to an end Dec. 13 because of a shoulder injury. Favre would return one week later against the Bears but was knocked out of that game — as well as Tuesday night's victory against the Eagles — with a concussion.
So as time was running out on the Vikings' season, there was legitimate reason to think Favre might not be around in 2011 to serve any potential penalty.
Instead, Wednesday's development will likely send Favre into retirement on a decidedly low note.
The most disturbing sideshow of this NFL season is finally coming to a close.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has fined Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre $50,000 over the Jenn Sterger fiasco, the league announced Wednesday.
However, Favre wasn't found to have violated league policy with regards to Sterger: He was fined for failing to cooperate with the league's investigation.
FOXSports.com first reported that Favre was going to be fined.
The NFL issued a statement, noting that Favre "was not candid in several respects during the investigation."
The release stated Favre was fined for "his failure to cooperate with the investigation in a forthcoming manner."
The league wanted to make a ruling before the end of the season but did not want to do it on New Year's Day.
The NFL was still interviewing and gathering information on the case as recently as last week.
Sterger, a former New York Jets media personality, had claimed Favre sexually harassed her when both were with the New York franchise in 2008.
Favre allegedly sent Sterger inappropriate text and phone messages, as well as photos of his genitalia. The allegations were first reported by Deadspin.com.
Favre admitted to leaving Sterger voice messages but denied sending her lewd photographs.
The NFL's investigation began in October, but the league did not talk directly with Sterger until Nov. 11.
In recent weeks, Sterger's camp had expressed concern a decision would not be forthcoming before the end of the regular season. Favre has said repeatedly this would be his final season. And while the 41-year-old quarterback has made that claim previously — not to mention, frequently — in his career, there is ample reason to believe him this time.
Unlike last year, when Favre was an MVP candidate and helped lead the Vikings to the NFC title game, this season has been much more difficult. With Favre struggling, the Vikings got off to a 3-7 start, resulting in the firing of head coach Brad Childress.
Favre has also had a hard time staying healthy this year. His NFL-record streak of 297 consecutive starts came to an end Dec. 13 because of a shoulder injury. Favre would return one week later against the Bears but was knocked out of that game — as well as Tuesday night's victory against the Eagles — with a concussion.
So as time was running out on the Vikings' season, there was legitimate reason to think Favre might not be around in 2011 to serve any potential penalty.
Instead, Wednesday's development will likely send Favre into retirement on a decidedly low note.
