Sterger's lawyer isn't thrilled with the NFL's decision on Favre

Brett Favre is $50,000 poorer for not cooperating with the NFL in its investigation of inappropriate text messages and photos he allegedly sent to Jenn Sterger in 2008.

No suspension will accompany the fine, which is meager by NFL standards. As a result, there are those who will think that Favre is getting off easy. Agreeing with that sentiment, unsurprisingly, is Sterger's lawyer.

Here's part of a press release he sent out to the media Wednesday, via Pro Football Talk:

“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. 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.

[...]

“Furthermore, the fact that the League took the step of fining Favre for ‘not being candid in several respects during the investigation’ is disturbing in the message it sends. 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. Additionally, 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.”

It's not a huge surprise that he feels that way, and it's not difficult to see where he's coming from. The investigation took forever and ended with a whimper. The NFL skated out of making any kind of judgment on Favre's behavior at all, and instead hit him with a small fine for "not cooperating."

I'm not ready to go bananas on the NFL like the lawyer, but I would like more of an explanation from the league. I'd like to know why the investigation took so long, how they determined that Favre did or did not send the pictures, and how exactly he was uncooperative. We've been given no information on what they found, what they didn't find, or how they even went about it.

It seems unlikely that any such explanation is coming, though, which makes it hard not to believe that Favre is being protected by the league.

Naomi Watts Leonor Varela Joanne Montanez Michelle Obama Kerry Suseck

Landon Donovan Named US Soccer Athlete of the Year

Filed under: MLS, US Soccer, U.S. Men's National Team, WPS, Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC

It's hard to believe that just six months ago, many were wondering if Landon Donovan would crumble under the pressure of another World Cup.

Instead, he flourished, scoring three goals and leading the U.S. national team to the top spot in a first-round group for the first time in 80 years. For that performance, as well as his leadership on a Los Angeles Galaxy team that won the MLS Supporters Shield, Donovan was named the U.S. Soccer Federation's male athlete of the year on Monday.

Launched in 1984, the award is voted on by fans, journalists and VIPs connected with U.S. Soccer. Donovan also won the honor in 2003, 2004 and 2009. Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Donovan were the only men to have won it three times.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Marisa Miller AnnaLynne McCord Emma Heming Vitamin C Scarlett Johansson

NFL Playoff Scenarios: Does It Pay For Bears to Play Spoilers?

NFL Playoff Scenarios: It is becoming quite evident that the Bears intend on playing their hearts out on Sunday. That would counter what other NFL teams that have clinched a playoff spot are doing. They are tasked with taking on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau.

So far, Lovie Smith has inferred that the Bears are going for a win. The starters will be playing in order to maintain chemistry and counter any rust from setting in during their wild card bye week. This may be an interesting ploy. But it could also backfire immensely.

Lambeau Field will be frozen solid. Now imagine how many time Jay Cutler will be put to the pavement with a very inconsistent offensive line protecting him. The Bears may get the win and stay hot for the post season, but a concussion to Jay Cutler could derail as season they worked so hard to put together.

The smart money would be to play the starters for a half. That is what most elite contenders are doing going into week 17. The Bears may side step a potential land mine if they did the same.

Related Story: Cam Newton's Draft Stock Gaining Momentum, Can He Overtake Andrew Luck for No. 1?

Jodi Lyn OKeefe Emma Watson Amy Smart Sarah Wynter Jaime Pressly

Jersey Fouls Special: Attack of the Crosby/Green Frankenjerseys!

Jersey Fouls is our ongoing exploration of the rules and etiquette for proper hockey jersey creation and exhibition. If you spot what you think may be a foul in your arena, email a photo to us at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com for inclusion in future installment.

Sometimes, a dude in some backwater town spots a UFO and is the only one to document the strange lights with a shaky VHS camera he's had in his shed since 1992. Other times, the unidentified object is seen by dozens, maybe hundreds of people in a larger metropolitan area, as they flood police with reports of OMG AM I CRAZY OR DID YOU SEE THAT TOO?

The Sidney Crosby/Mike Green Frankenjersey falls into the latter category.

We began to hear reports of its existence in the press box of Verizon Center last night, eventually seeing photographic evidence to validate the sighting. As the night continued, more and more images arrived in the Puck Daddy Inbox. This was no swamp gas! This was a Pittsburgh Penguins/Washington Capitals Jersey Foul for the ages!

Not only that, but there were two different Frankenjerseys, both with Winter Classic patches. The first one was sort of clever if you think about it: The '5' from Mike Green, the '7' from Sidney Crosby ... a '57' for Heinz Field. Ho ho ho.

But then the remnants were turned into a companion jersey, as Puck Buddy JW explains:

Yeah, that's half Crosby half Green, with the Winter Classic logo nicely centered between them. Her male friend was wearing the fraternal-twin "57" jersey. What really honked us off, though, was the "Washington Capitals Fan Club" tote bag she was wearing with it. This is why many of us hate the WCFC.

Ouch. So we suspect this is a Winter Classic Tribute Jersey, which is a FAIL because neither of the sweaters are actually from the Winter Classic.

But is it something more? Is this a noble attempt to bridge the divide between the warring factions? To bring two of the most well-mocked players in the rivalry into harmony? To show the beauty of the two logos comingling in ...

... ah, screw it. It's cold, there are plenty of homeless in D.C. and these jerseys would start a great garbage can fire.

Thanks to JW, Erick P. and Christina Y for the images.

The Pussycat Dolls Isla Fisher Sophia Bush Megan Fox Michelle Malkin

Finnegan has no interest in retaliation against Johnson

The Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans renew acquaintances this Sunday, which means that Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan will once again be lined up opposite each other.

The last time that happened, the exchange was, well, less than friendly. They savagely punched each other in the face (or at least, Johnson punched Finnegan in the face).

Finnegan, taking the high road, said Wednesday that he's not interested in any payback on Johnson, and he harbors no hard feelings. From Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean:

"Regardless if I'm right or wrong," he said, "I am going to apologize to get this off my heart.''

[...]

"I am more concerned about us winning a football game than anything right now. We haven't done that in awhile, and that is one thing we need to get back to doing. Retaliation is for the birds.''

I'm glad to see that attitude. Both guys are professionals and I'm sure they were both embarrassed by what happened last time out. Let the past be the past, and be better people in the future. I salute you, gentlemen.

Now, the skeptic might be thinking, "Of course Finnegan doesn't want to fight again! He took an old-school beating last time. He doesn't want another piece of Andre Johnson."

I don't think that's what's happening here. I think both guys have learned that a fight benefits no one, and both just want to move on and play football. Expect fist pounds and hugs on Sunday.

Kerry Suseck FSU Cowgirls Abbie Cornish Krista Allen Hayden Panettiere

Bourne Blog: When your team sucks, only answer is self-deprecation

I wasn't always a big fan of the New York Islanders, despite my affiliation to the team. Something about it seemed ... weird.

For one, I had pro aspirations. To fawn over any group of players seemed odd, given that at some point, I hoped to be slashing their ankles behind the play. There's something more than a touch off about wearing the jersey of a guy whose job you're trying to take (Okay true, nobody makes a Jon Sim jersey, but you get the point).

But when I stopped playing a couple years ago, I was able to throw myself into full-on fandom a little better. And thanks to that newfound commitment, I've discovered the best part about being a fan of a bad team that I'm sure many of you have known for years: self-deprecation.

Admit it -- you love ragging on your stupid crappy hockey team (and if your team is actually good, well let me tell you, sir, you're missing out).

The Islanders are so bad Clark Gillies apologized when he told us he was taking us to the game last night. When the laughter died down he slid in a "...no seriously, I apologize in advance."

And that's the delicious coping mechanism that provides endless joy and entertainment for the fraternity of people who willingly subject themselves to rooting for something destined to fail.

I figure cheering for a good team must be stressful. Playing poker makes me nervous because the outcome of each hand matters. I need the money I play with, so I rarely get to just enjoy the game. By the same token, rooting for a Cup contender has to be far more stressful, given that you have something to lose.

Not with the Isles, boy. We've been eliminated from playoffs since pre-season (no seriously, that's when Streit and Okposo got hurt). I can enjoy their games, because, as Jim Mora put it, " ... playoffs? We're talking about playoffs?" 

Still, I don't need to hear it from other wise-ass fans. Someone trashing my team has become something similar to a white guy trying to casually use "what's up my *N-word*?" with an African-American gent. You're just not invited to use it, where that same guy might chuck it around with a friend.

Along the same vein, when you root for a bad team, there's a kinship between your fellow suffering fans that allows you to verbally destroy your favourite franchise, and nobody gets offended. In fact, there's something relieving about it. It shows people you're not stupid (the Isles could still make the playoffs!), you're just loyal.

At Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum last night, fans wearing jerseys and hats proudly dragged their team through the mud.

Actual conversation between myself and an Isles fan last night:

Me: "I see DiPietro's on the IR again, eh?" 

Isles fan: "Yeah, what a shame, now we won't be able to play the worst goalie in the league anymore, I hope the team doesn't start struggling." 

Me: "....ah."

We were a step away from re-enacting Tommy Boy's "Well you should, because I'm laying it on pretty thick" conversation.

I'm loving the bitterness and sarcasm I get to deploy on the daily with this team (it suits New Yorkers nicely too). The billion-game losing streak was damn near the highlight of my sports fan career. If Jack Capuano would just start using a power-play unit of Sim/Gillies/Joensuu, I'd be poop-my-pants level excited for the conversations I'd get to have with other self-loathers.

Maybe it'd be harder to revel in the failure if your team had a chance to succeed when the year began, and they just New Jersey Devil'd underachieved, but for me, the season been cooked since about game eight. That's a long time to work in some solid self-deprecation.

Fans of bad teams are blue collar workers, a proud bunch that shows up every day and puts in the necessary work to build something great, generally while cursing out the very thing they're putting their effort into.

And like blue collar workers, we cling to laughter and booze.

So Isles fans, Senators fans, Panthers fans and beyond, remember: We'll get ‘em next year, right?

... Ha.

Rachel Weisz Miranda Kerr Sarah Shahi Anna Paquin Diane Kruger

12/17 Quickie: NFL Week 15, Bowls

Fergie Ivanka Trump Blake Lively Christina Applegate Shana Hiatt