NFL commissioner Roger Goodell might have been hoping the league’s ruling on the Brett Favre/Jenn Sterger sexual harassment fiasco — which is to fine Favre and not suspend him — would quietly end this whole sordid mess.
Well, that isn’t happening. Sterger’s attorney has now blasted the NFL for its wrist-slap of the legendary quarterback.
“My client and I are extremely disappointed, but not surprised, at today’s NFL announcement that Brett Favre did not violate the NFL ‘workplace conduct’ policy,” said Sterger’s attorney Joseph Conway in a statement. "While I am not privy to how Mr. Goodell reached such a finding, we strongly disagree with his conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to support a violation of the policy.
“To the contrary, our evidence and the personal testimony of Ms. Sterger clearly showed a pattern of lewd and offensive behavior by Mr. Favre that lasted all of the 2008 season. As noted in the NFL’s release, ‘there was no evidence to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct.’ In addition to the offensive messages, there was ample evidence to show that the sexually explicit photographs were part of Favre’s inappropriate behavior. Our evidence clearly showed that the photos were sent by Favre.
“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 Conway. “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.”
I’m not sure Conway could have made his and Sterger’s position much clearer. I also believe a lot of people, myself included, will believe that he is absolutely right.