The news of NFL icon Brett Favre being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease has not been met with universal compassion – especially from one 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 misspending and reform, after he became embroiled in a $77million welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi.
But while Favre’s fight with the disease would normally bring about feelings of sadness, that’s not the case for former New York Jets host Jennifer Sterger.
Sterger made a pair of posts about the revelation on her Instagram story – with the statements scored by the Chappell Roan song ‘My Kink is Karma’.
‘PSA: Please don’t send me links to it. I’ve seen it. I can read,’ Sterger’s statement began.
Brett Favre’s recent Parkinson’s diagnosis feels like karma for former Jets host Jennifer Sterger
Sterger posted a statement to her Instagram story after Favre revealed his diagnosis
‘I don’t wish bad things on anyone, but I know Karma never forgets an address. Imagine being diagnosed with such a terrible disease and not having the resources to fight it bc some Hall-of-Fame quarterback stole it?
‘Those are the people that need your attention, support, and sympathy. And at least now, his pictures won’t be in focus. Mississippi you deserve better.’
In a second post, Sterger encouraged her followers to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Back in 2008, Sterger was a gameday host for the New York Jets, where Favre was the quarterback. Sterger reportedly received inappropriate messages and images from Favre during the course of the season.
The NFL opened an investigation into the incident in 2010. While they never found Favre guilty of violating the league’s personal conduct policy, they did fine him $50,000 for failing to cooperate with the investigation. Â
While testifying in front of Congress on Tuesday, Favre read from pre-written notes and began speaking about the now-defunct concussion drug company Prevacus, in which he was the top outside investor.Â
The company had received $2 million from the federal Government’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund.Â
‘Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,’ he said. ‘I’m sure you’ll understand, while it’s too late for me because I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, this is also a cause dear to my heart.’
Sterger reportedly received inappropriate messages and images from Favre back in 2008
Favre revealed he is battling Parkinson’s disease while speaking in front of Congress
Brett Favre poses with his wife Deanna, who herself previously battled breast cancer
Favre has previously spoken about suffering ‘thousands’ of concussions during his career
Favre – who played in the NFL for 20 years – has previously spoken openly about suffering ‘thousands’ of concussions on the football field.
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, including stiffness, shaking and difficulty with balance.
It is unclear what causes the disease, but scientists believe it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, per the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Last year, Favre became embroiled in the largest case of public fraud in state history, when he was named in a civil lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
It is alleged that at least $77million in welfare funds meant for needy families was instead funneled to the rich and powerful, with $8m going to Favre himself or causes he championed.
Favre, who denies any wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged, repaid $1.1million across two payments in 2020 and 2021, but is still being pursued for $727,000 in interest by Mississippi State Auditor Shad White.
The NFL icon also recently sued ex-NFL players and media commentators Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee over comments made about him and the funds.
Jennifer Sterger conducts an on-field interview for the New York Jets in August of 2008
Favre, pictured playing for the New York Jets, grabs his head after hitting the turf in 2008
Favre sits alongside his wife Deanna at the 2015 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California
Favre stands with his family on the red carpet at the ESPYs, including his wife Deanna (center)
The lawsuit against McAfee was dropped after he publicly apologized for telling viewers of his popular ESPN show that Favre was ‘stealing from the poor people of Mississippi’.Â
Favre is currently facing the House Ways and Means Committee for a hearing on the need for ‘guardrails’ when it comes to dispersing ‘Temporary Assistance for Needy Families’ funds.
Reflecting on a series of tweets she made back in 2022 – around the time that Favre was in hot water over the welfare fund controversy, Sterger lamented how she became a household name.
‘To think my legacy and everything anyone knows of me.. can be summed down to the title of “The Brett Favre Girl,” is not only disgusting. But disheartening,’ Sterger penned.
‘To think of all the jobs that people have gate-kept from me, that I was a shoo-in for, simply because having access to HIM, his interviews, his “legacy” and stardom was more important than any kind of reparations I was due.
‘The media played a sick and twisted role in painting me as a bad guy, simply because I “looked a certain way.” And, none of them has printed a retraction, though some like NFL.com have deleted articles but not the search engine sheets that show they are still somewhere in the system.
‘Or the big conglomerate PR companies like Sunshine Sachs that launched a nasty attack on me and my character on behalf of the Jets… Twenty-eight-year-old me 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: cost 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 ever did.. forgiving people that never deserved it, let alone even asked for it.’
