The recent announcement of NFL legend Brett Favre’s Parkinson’s disease diagnosis has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from Jennifer Sterger, the woman at the center of a sexting scandal involving Favre during his time with the New York Jets. Sterger, a former Jets gameday host, took to social media to address Favre’s diagnosis, offering a pointed and biting response rather than sympathy.
Favre, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback and Hall-of-Famer, revealed his diagnosis during a Congressional hearing on welfare fraud and reform, where he is also embroiled in a $77 million welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi.
As he testified, Favre mentioned his struggle with Parkinson’s, tying it to his football career and a failed investment in a concussion drug company. While many would expect a health update of this magnitude to draw compassion, Sterger’s response was anything but sympathetic.
Sterger, who alleged in 2008 that Favre had sent her inappropriate messages and photos while they were both with the New York Jets, shared her thoughts through two Instagram posts. Her reaction was underscored by Chappell Roan’s song “My Kink is Karma,” making it clear that she felt no remorse over Favre’s struggles.
“PSA: Please don’t send me links to it. I’ve seen it. I can read,” Sterger’s statement began. “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 because some Hall-of-Fame quarterback stole it?”
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Sterger’s post was a direct reference to Favre’s involvement in the Mississippi welfare fraud case, where millions of dollars meant for needy families were misappropriated to benefit wealthy individuals, including Favre. The scandal has cast a dark shadow over Favre’s post-football career, and Sterger clearly believes there are more deserving individuals who should be receiving sympathy and support.
In her post, she added, “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.”
Sterger went on to encourage her followers to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, shifting the focus from Favre to the broader fight against the debilitating disease.
Sterger’s connection to Favre dates back to 2008, when she was a host for the Jets and alleged that Favre sent her unsolicited explicit messages and photos. While the NFL launched an investigation in 2010, it ultimately did not find Favre in violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. However, he was fined $50,000 for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
Favre’s latest revelation came during his testimony before Congress, where he discussed his investment in Prevacus, a now-defunct concussion drug company. Prevacus had received $2 million from Mississippi’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) fund, money that was meant for the state’s poorest families. Favre expressed regret over the loss of the investment and linked it to his diagnosis of Parkinson’s, a disease often associated with head trauma, which he likely endured during his 20-year NFL career.
“Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,” Favre 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.”
Favre has spoken openly about the toll that repeated concussions took on his body, admitting that he likely suffered “thousands” of concussions during his career. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. While the exact cause of Parkinson’s is unknown, it is often linked to both genetic and environmental factors, including head injuries.
The welfare scandal surrounding Favre has only intensified over the past year. He was named in a civil lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, which claims that at least $77 million intended for welfare programs was instead funneled to the rich and powerful. Favre allegedly received $8 million for his own ventures and charities. While Favre has not been criminally charged and denies any wrongdoing, he did repay $1.1 million, though the state is still seeking an additional $727,000 in interest.
The scandal also led Favre to sue former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee for their comments on the situation. The lawsuit against McAfee was eventually dropped after he publicly apologized for suggesting that Favre had been “stealing from the poor people of Mississippi.”
Sterger, reflecting on her own experience with Favre, has publicly addressed how the scandal impacted her career and life. In 2022, she spoke about how the media labeled her “The Brett Favre Girl,” a title that overshadowed her professional accomplishments and damaged her career prospects.
“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 wrote. “To think of all the jobs that people have gate-kept from me… simply because having access to HIM, his interviews, his ‘legacy,’ and stardom was more important than any kind of reparations I was due.”
Sterger expressed her frustration with how the media painted her as the “bad guy” simply because of her appearance, and she criticized the lack of accountability from both the NFL and the media. Despite the hardships, Sterger revealed that she had forgiven Favre, the NFL, and the media for how they treated her, although she acknowledged that forgiveness was difficult given that no one ever apologized or acknowledged the harm done.
As Favre battles Parkinson’s disease and remains embroiled in legal battles over the welfare fraud scandal, the legacy of the Hall-of-Fame quarterback continues to be clouded by controversy.
Meanwhile, Sterger’s response serves as a stark reminder of the unresolved pain and consequences from their past interactions.
