The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Female Reporter Claims Brett Favre Sent Her Photos of Himself Masturbating

Posted on | August 8, 2010 | 45 Comments

TV sports personality Jenn Sterger says NFL quarterback Brett Favre sent her cell-phone photos of himself masturbating in 2008, according to a report at the blog Deadspin.

The startling allegations about Favre – a married father of two whose first grandchild was born in April — have threatened to overshadow recent reports that the 11-time Pro Bowl quarterback is finally ready to retire at age 40.

Sterger, a 27-year-old former Florida State University cheerleader who parlayed her surgically enhanced figure into a career as a sports commentator, was hired in 2008 as a host for the New York Jets’ “Gameday” pre-game TV program. She appeared in Maxim and Playboy and wrote a Sports Illustrated column.

According to Deadspin’s A.J. Dauleiro, Sterger said “Favre first began to call her early in the season and leave strange, friendly messages on her voicemail.” While the messages were at first merely friendly, Favre’s calls later “started to turn weird . . . flirty and strange,” Daulerio wrote in a report published Thursday at Deadspin, a sports site that is part of the Gawker Media network.

“Sterger claimed she spurned Favre’s advances because he was married, but also because she was working for the Jets at the time she didn’t think it was the best idea to start a torrid affair with the team’s highest profile player,” Daulerio reported, and Sterger didn’t want to complain for fear ”she might lose her job.” Eventually, however, Favre began sending her pornographic photos of himself:

But then, one night, Sterger received a picture on her phone which was so shocking that she just tossed it across the room. It was his [penis]. Brett Favre’s [penis]. And it happened multiple times. In fact, Sterger claims that, in one of the photos Favre allegedly sent her, he’s masturbating — while wearing a pair of Crocs. In another photo, Favre is holding his penis while wearing the wristwatch he wore during his first teary-eyed retirement press conference.

Daulerio said Sterger was reluctant to be named in the Deadspin report but wanted “to expose this dude for the creepy douche he is.” In an e-mail to Daulerio, Sterger wrote: “I just want to make it clear I never met him, saw him, etc. . . . because I don’t roll that way. That way meaning old . . . or married. Some big boobed hoes have morals and souls believe it or not.”

As Green Bay’s starting quarterback for 16 seasons, Favre led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XXXI. He holds many NFL records, including most most career touchdown passes and most career passing yards. His personal life has been marred by several tragedies. In 2003, Favre started a Monday night game against the Oakland Raiders the day after his father died, and threw for nearly 400 yards in a 41-7 victory. In 1996, he was treated for addiction to prescription painkillers. In 2004, his brother-in-law was killed in an accident and his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.

* * * * * *

I wrote that in straight-news style because Deadspin’s A.J. Daulerio writes like a damned blogger. Excuse me for using that as a pejorative expression, but this is becoming a problem that needs to be addressed.

OK, when you’re just snarking on the headlines — stuff previously reported by regular news organizations — you can write any way you please and nobody cares. However, when you are doing first-source original reporting, or aggregating news in a way that aspires to be taken seriously, it is important to write clearly and concisely. 

The straight-faced Joe Friday “just-the-facts-ma’am” style of writing works because it conveys authority. If the story is truly newsworthy and you’ve got your facts nailed down cold, there’s no need to tart it up and make it clever or sensational. There was certainly no need for Daulerio to write this kind of story with the gossipy Perez Hilton-style lede he used:

Here’s another reason Brett Favre should stay retired this time: Turns out The Daily Line’s Jenn Sterger has kept a ridiculously disturbing (but HILARIOUS) secret about her interactions with The Gunslinger while they were both part of the Jets organization.

If it is a serious story — and these kind of accusations against a married sports star certainly are serious — then it deserves to be reported in a serious way. Dial down the snark, avoid loaded labels and sensationalism, and try to play it straight.

Knowing that my friends in the blogosphere may resent this advice, I’ll add that this is an argument I often had as a desk editor working with professional news reporters who, when they got a really juicy scoop, would yield to similar temptation. Despite having garnered a reputation as an ideological hatchet-man during my decade at The Washington Times, there were actually several times when I’d be the guy taking out loaded phrases (“left-wing,” etc.) from news stories. The bigger the story, the more important it is to report it with that objective Joe Friday style.

Blogging is a form of journalism and, at its best, blogging can have as much credibility and impact as the New York Times. There’s no reason why bloggers should limit their effectiveness by always writing in “snarktastic” mode. You’ll notice, for example, that Dan Riehl uses a different style of writing when he’s doing actual reporting than when he’s just linking and commenting.

Having worn many hats over the course of a quarter-century – music critic, news reporter, sports editor, columnist, feature writer, news editor, blogger — I have never felt that versatility was a detriment in journalism. The emerging reality of the New Media environment, where downsized news organization are working with smaller staffs and waging a 24/7 competition for “eyes” involving every SOB with a Blogspot site, makes versatility more crucial than ever.

The ability to switch from opinionated snark-slinger to Mr. Neutral Objectivity on a moment’s notice will, I predict, become recognized as a necessary skill in 21st-century journalism. And I also predict that Brett Favre will become sports columnist for The American Prospect.

UPDATE: If Dave Weigel’s comment section is like sex, maybe Jenn Sterger and Brett Favre belong there.

UPDATE II: Another temptation to be resisted: The idea that you have a snarktastic monopoly on saying everything funny or clever. In this case, I must defer to Doug Powers and Cubachi:




UPDATE III: Professor Donald Douglas at American Power scores big: First, as befitting Rule 5 Sunday, he’s got video of Jenn Sterger’s Maxim photo shoot and, second, he reminds us that A.J. Dauleiro was the guy who first linked the notorious Erin Andrews peephole video.

Professor Douglas also notes that CBS News is now reporting the Sterger-Favre scandal. Given that this is opening day of NFL pre-season, I can’t believe the Ace of Spades HQ crew has missed this story, but I didn’t see it on a quick scan.

UPDATE IV: “I can see the court testimony now . . . ’Yer honor, that’s not mine!’ ‘Prove it Mr. Favre.’ “

UPDATE V: Linked at The Lonely Conservative.

UPDATE VI: “And all because he wanted an excuse to post a pseudo-naked picture of the Seminole-cheering eye-candy turned Playboy-model sideline reporter” — obviously, Troglopundit doesn’t appreciate Neutral Objective Journalism.

UPDATE VII: Welcome, Riehl World View readers! And Dan Collins blames it all on Favre’s abandonment of cheese.

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Category: Neutral Objective Journalism, Scandal, Sex, Sports

Comments

  • http://keaneobservation.blogspot.com/ Largebill

    I hope she has those photos saved. Otherwise her claims could result in legal action. Right or wrong, if Favre doesn’t take legal action it will be interpreted as an admission.

  • http://keaneobservation.blogspot.com/ Largebill

    I hope she has those photos saved. Otherwise her claims could result in legal action. Right or wrong, if Favre doesn’t take legal action it will be interpreted as an admission.

  • http://tigeronpolitics.wordpress.com Ben (The Tiger)

    That’s messed up — no matter who’s telling the truth here.

  • http://tigeronpolitics.wordpress.com Ben (The Tiger)

    That’s messed up — no matter who’s telling the truth here.

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  • http://www.serr8d.blogspot.com serr8d

    I just checked my favorite NFL writer, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk dot com, who never misses a chance to ragitate on Brett Favre. Not a peep on this story.

    If you’ve scooped Mike Florio, well, hat’s off, RSM.

  • http://www.serr8d.blogspot.com serr8d

    I just checked my favorite NFL writer, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk dot com, who never misses a chance to ragitate on Brett Favre. Not a peep on this story.

    If you’ve scooped Mike Florio, well, hat’s off, RSM.

  • http://powip.com Dan Collins

    At least it was a female reporter, right?

  • http://powip.com Dan Collins

    At least it was a female reporter, right?

  • http://theothermccain.com Robert Stacy McCain

    That’s messed up — no matter who’s telling the truth here.

    Well, given the evidence offered at Deadspin (images of Favre’s watch, apparently cropped from the photos Sterger shared with Daulerio), I’m willing to assume she’s telling the truth.

    On the other hand (no pun intended), the best way to deal with situations like this is to directly confront the wrongdoer. According to Daulerio, Sterger says she’s never even met Favre. As I remarked on Twitter, as soon as Favre sent Sterger any text message she felt was out-of-bounds — and certainly as soon as he sent her a photo of his penis — she should have texted a reply: “Not interested. And you’ve got a SERIOUS PROBLEM, Mr. Future Hall of Fame.”

    At least it was a female reporter, right?

    HOMOPHOBE!

  • http://theothermccain.com Robert Stacy McCain

    That’s messed up — no matter who’s telling the truth here.

    Well, given the evidence offered at Deadspin (images of Favre’s watch, apparently cropped from the photos Sterger shared with Daulerio), I’m willing to assume she’s telling the truth.

    On the other hand (no pun intended), the best way to deal with situations like this is to directly confront the wrongdoer. According to Daulerio, Sterger says she’s never even met Favre. As I remarked on Twitter, as soon as Favre sent Sterger any text message she felt was out-of-bounds — and certainly as soon as he sent her a photo of his penis — she should have texted a reply: “Not interested. And you’ve got a SERIOUS PROBLEM, Mr. Future Hall of Fame.”

    At least it was a female reporter, right?

    HOMOPHOBE!

  • http://powip.com Dan Collins

    When Favre sent me a picture of his Super Bowl cock ring, I just bought a new phone.

  • http://powip.com Dan Collins

    When Favre sent me a picture of his Super Bowl cock ring, I just bought a new phone.

  • http://powip.com Falahime

    I love Brett Favre so I admit bias here..but look at this girl (and her history). Are we really supposed to believe that penis pics are really that “shocking” to her? “Sure, I’ll pose nude for Playboy but penises on my phone are where I draw the line!”

  • http://powip.com Falahime

    I love Brett Favre so I admit bias here..but look at this girl (and her history). Are we really supposed to believe that penis pics are really that “shocking” to her? “Sure, I’ll pose nude for Playboy but penises on my phone are where I draw the line!”

  • Joe

    Too bad Sterger did not get a picture of Ichiro’s penis, since that is a money shot. Literally. Japanese media offered a million dollar bounty if any papparazzi got a naked picture of Ichiro for them.

    But was there any audio with that picture of Farve polishing his sword? Because with proper mixing that could make a hell of a cell phone ring.

  • Joe

    Too bad Sterger did not get a picture of Ichiro’s penis, since that is a money shot. Literally. Japanese media offered a million dollar bounty if any papparazzi got a naked picture of Ichiro for them.

    But was there any audio with that picture of Farve polishing his sword? Because with proper mixing that could make a hell of a cell phone ring.

  • http://www.serr8d.blogspot.com serr8d

    Poor boy’s TRACKBACK !

  • http://www.serr8d.blogspot.com serr8d

    Poor boy’s TRACKBACK !

  • http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com Americaneocon
  • http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com Americaneocon
  • http://www.serr8d.blogspot.com serr8d

    Seems Mike Florio DID touch this story, way back on August 4th (I usually skim his stuff for Titans info, and he posts a ton of material, so I just checked the first couple pages).

    As a lawyer, Florio’s hedging his bets.

  • http://www.serr8d.blogspot.com serr8d

    Seems Mike Florio DID touch this story, way back on August 4th (I usually skim his stuff for Titans info, and he posts a ton of material, so I just checked the first couple pages).

    As a lawyer, Florio’s hedging his bets.

  • Kojocaro

    What the french toast?

  • Kojocaro

    What the french toast?

  • ThomasD

    Doug Powers win’s the internet for today.

    Made me LOL at work.

  • ThomasD

    Doug Powers win’s the internet for today.

    Made me LOL at work.

  • http://thetraitorsamongus.blogspot.com Thrasymachus

    I used to think she was hot but the video doesn’t flatter her.

    In any case I think she’s trying to extend her 15 minutes of fame, which expired awhile back.

  • http://thetraitorsamongus.blogspot.com Thrasymachus

    I used to think she was hot but the video doesn’t flatter her.

    In any case I think she’s trying to extend her 15 minutes of fame, which expired awhile back.

  • JeffS

    …(images of Favre’s watch, apparently cropped from the photos Sterger shared with Daulerio)…

    Sounds like Favre has too much time on his hands.

  • JeffS

    …(images of Favre’s watch, apparently cropped from the photos Sterger shared with Daulerio)…

    Sounds like Favre has too much time on his hands.

  • Mark A

    She was so ‘shocked’ at a penis photo that she tossed her phone across the room? I think not. Doesn’t pass the smell test. A honey like her with those ‘spreads’ in her portfolio doesn’t get shocked to the point of tossing a tiny LCD image across the room.

    Favre retirement rumors dominated ESPN the previous 2 days and their ratings shot up 50% (hard to do when you’re already ESPN). This is likely a fledging website’s attempt to gain some notoriety.

    Disclaimer: I’m a Vikings fan. Say it ain’t so Brett.

  • Mark A

    She was so ‘shocked’ at a penis photo that she tossed her phone across the room? I think not. Doesn’t pass the smell test. A honey like her with those ‘spreads’ in her portfolio doesn’t get shocked to the point of tossing a tiny LCD image across the room.

    Favre retirement rumors dominated ESPN the previous 2 days and their ratings shot up 50% (hard to do when you’re already ESPN). This is likely a fledging website’s attempt to gain some notoriety.

    Disclaimer: I’m a Vikings fan. Say it ain’t so Brett.

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  • http://sisu.typepad.com Sissy Willis

    A very delicious post. All my best friends — including myself! — are here. Shall we just have a cigarette on it?

    http://tiny.cc/mh23p

  • http://sisu.typepad.com Sissy Willis

    A very delicious post. All my best friends — including myself! — are here. Shall we just have a cigarette on it?

    http://tiny.cc/mh23p

  • http://www.haemet.blogivists.cm Roxeanne de Luca

    “Sure, I’ll pose nude for Playboy but penises on my phone are where I draw the line!”

    Maybe Favre doesn’t measure up…? I could certainly see a Playboy chick thinking, “Favre, I’m used to quality goods!”

  • http://www.haemet.blogivists.cm Roxeanne de Luca

    “Sure, I’ll pose nude for Playboy but penises on my phone are where I draw the line!”

    Maybe Favre doesn’t measure up…? I could certainly see a Playboy chick thinking, “Favre, I’m used to quality goods!”

  • http://www.manofthewest2000.blogspot.com/ Matt Beck

    What I don’t understand is, here we have someone like Brett Favre – an athlete, an attractive man, and filthy rich, or in every respect cutting the figure of a god among men, who could probably get sex anytime he wanted it – and yet he still must resort to this clumsy and pathetic style of courtship. Do all men, however high their status, turn into bumbling dickheads when trying to impress a woman? Or a certain kind of woman?

    If so, then I believe my ability to make and sustain eye contact with a female and hold a decent conversation with her without resorting to an endless drumfire of lame jokes, puts me substantially ahead of the field. Perhaps I should give myself a little more credit.

  • http://www.manofthewest2000.blogspot.com/ Matt Beck

    What I don’t understand is, here we have someone like Brett Favre – an athlete, an attractive man, and filthy rich, or in every respect cutting the figure of a god among men, who could probably get sex anytime he wanted it – and yet he still must resort to this clumsy and pathetic style of courtship. Do all men, however high their status, turn into bumbling dickheads when trying to impress a woman? Or a certain kind of woman?

    If so, then I believe my ability to make and sustain eye contact with a female and hold a decent conversation with her without resorting to an endless drumfire of lame jokes, puts me substantially ahead of the field. Perhaps I should give myself a little more credit.

  • RES

    Oh heck, why not just go ahead and convict B.F. – it isn’t as if he’s the patron saint of Man-Caused Global Warming or high-ranked Democrat office politician, right?

    OTOH, who amongst us has never thought “If I could just show her (him) how much I want her (him) he’d (she’d) come to me.” And really, it isn’t as if he plopped down on a hotel room couch, pulled it out and told her to play with it, and we KNOW that is acceptable behaviour.

  • RES

    Oh heck, why not just go ahead and convict B.F. – it isn’t as if he’s the patron saint of Man-Caused Global Warming or high-ranked Democrat office politician, right?

    OTOH, who amongst us has never thought “If I could just show her (him) how much I want her (him) he’d (she’d) come to me.” And really, it isn’t as if he plopped down on a hotel room couch, pulled it out and told her to play with it, and we KNOW that is acceptable behaviour.

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