The news that NFL icon Brett Favre has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease was not met with universal compassion, especially by a woman who was allegedly harassed by the Hall of Fame quarterback.
The Packers legend revealed his shocking health update while speaking at a Congressional hearing on welfare misuse and reform, after being embroiled in a $77 million welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi.
But while Favre’s battle with the disease would normally elicit feelings of sadness, that’s not the case for former New York Jets broadcaster Jennifer Sterger.
Sterger made a couple of posts about the revelation on her Instagram Story, with the remarks accompanied by Chappell Roan’s song ‘My Kink is Karma.’
‘Note: Please do not send me links to this material. I have seen it. I can read it,’ Sterger’s statement began.
Brett Favre’s recent Parkinson’s diagnosis feels like karma for former Jets broadcaster Jennifer Sterger
Sterger posted a statement on his Instagram Story after Favre revealed his diagnosis.
“I don’t wish anything bad on anyone, but I know that karma never forgets an address. Can you imagine being diagnosed with such a terrible disease and not having the resources to fight it because a Hall of Fame quarterback stole it from you?
“These are the people who need your attention, support and sympathy. And at least now, their photos won’t be in the spotlight. Mississippi, you deserve better.”
In a second post, Sterger encouraged his followers to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
In 2008, Sterger was a play-by-play announcer for the New York Jets, where Favre was the quarterback. Sterger allegedly received inappropriate messages and images from Favre during the course of the season.
The NFL opened an investigation into the incident in 2010. While Favre was never found guilty of violating the league’s personal conduct policy, he was fined $50,000 for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
While testifying before Congress on Tuesday, Favre read from previously written notes and began talking about the now-defunct concussion drug company Prevacus, in which he was the largest outside investor.
The company had received $2 million from the federal government’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund.
“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a revolutionary drug for concussions that I believed would help other people,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll understand that while it’s too late for me because I’ve only recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it’s also a cause that’s close to my heart.”
Favre revealed he is battling Parkinson’s disease while speaking in front of Congress
Brett Favre poses with his wife Deanna, who previously battled breast cancer.
Favre has previously spoken about having suffered ‘thousands’ of concussions during his career.
Favre, who played in the NFL for 20 years, has previously spoken openly about having suffered “thousands” of concussions on the football field.
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes involuntary or uncontrollable movements, including stiffness, tremors, and difficulty maintaining balance.
It’s not clear what causes the disease, but scientists believe it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Last year, Favre became embroiled in the largest public fraud case in state history when he was named in a civil lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
At least $77 million in welfare funds intended for needy families are alleged to have instead been funneled to the rich and powerful, with $8 million going to Favre himself or to causes he championed.
Favre, who denies wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged, repaid $1.1 million in two payments in 2020 and 2021 but is still being pursued by Mississippi State Auditor Shad White for $727,000 in interest.
The NFL icon also recently sued former NFL players and media commentators Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee over comments made about him and the funds.
Favre, pictured playing for the New York Jets, clutches his head after hitting the turf in 2008
Favre sits next to his wife Deanna at the 2015 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California.
Favre meets his family on the ESPYs red carpet, including his wife Deanna (center)
Jennifer Sterger conducts an on-field interview for the New York Jets in August 2008
The lawsuit against McAfee was dropped after he publicly apologized for telling viewers of his popular ESPN show that Favre was “stealing from poor people in Mississippi.”
Favre is currently facing the House Ways and Means Committee for a hearing on the need for “guardrails” when distributing “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” funds.
Reflecting on a series of tweets he made in 2022, around the time Favre was in hot water over the welfare fund controversy, Sterger lamented how he became a household name.
“To think that my legacy and everything that is known about me… can be summed up in the title ‘The Brett Favre Girl’ is not only sickening, it’s disheartening,” Sterger wrote.
‘Think of all the jobs I’ve been denied, for which I was a sure candidate, simply because having access to HIM, his interviews, his “legacy” and his stardom was more important than any kind of reparation that was due to me.
‘The media played a sick and perverse role in portraying me as a bad guy, simply because ‘I looked a certain way.’ And none of them have issued a retraction, although some like NFL.com have removed articles, but not the search engine data sheets showing they are still somewhere in the system.
“Or the big PR firms like Sunshine Sachs that launched a nasty attack on me and my character on behalf of the Jets… At 28, I didn’t stand a chance.
‘Humans are complicated, flawed beings. And bad people do bad things. But the truth is, I forgave Brett Favre a long time ago for what he did to me — costing me my job simply because I wouldn’t sleep with him. I forgave the NFL. I forgave the media. But it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life — forgiving people who never deserved it, let alone asked for it.’