Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre is one of the most polarizing figures in sports today. While he has been retired for over a decade, Favre is, or at least was, an immensely popular player among both Packers and NFL fans. That being said, some of the things he allegedly did during his playing career, and things that allegedly took place after, have made him incredibly controversial.
On Thursday, the TNT docuseries “Rich and Shameless” aired the fifth episode of their second season entitled “Brett Favre: Out of Bounds.” The 45 minute-long episode can be streamed on any service that includes TNT.
The documentary is, admittedly, very one-sided, though that may also be because Favre declined to participate in any interviews for it. The only former Packers player in it is Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, and he briefly talked about what it was like to play with Favre, but not about things that happened off the field.
While most of what is said about Favre in the media today deals with his current welfare scandal, this documentary dives into a number of other disturbing events that Favre was involved in during his playing career. That all being said, there are a few interesting things that fans may learn from watching it.
1. Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre Has Not Been Charged for Any Crimes
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The episode, as mentioned, discusses a number of scandals that Favre was involved in during his playing career. These include the illicit text messages to New York Jets sideline reporter Jen Sterger, a sexual harassment lawsuit levied against him by two massage therapists after he joined the Minnesota Vikings, and of course the current Mississippi welfare scandal.
As of right now, Favre has not been brought up on any criminal charges in the current welfare scandal, though he has repaid over $1 million to the state for not showing up to speaking engagements that he was paid for.
There have, however, been a number of lawsuits filed by and against Favre that were settled out of court. These include the suit filed against him by the massage therapists and his own lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe.
2. Brett Favre Was as Beloved in Mississippi as He Was By Green Bay Packers Fans
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One content creator that was interviewed for the documentary noted that Kiln, Mississippi, Favre’s hometown, has his memorabilia everywhere. “He is the embodiment of a local hero,” he said.
Brad Franklin, a Mississippi writer and activist, said of Favre:
“My memories of watching that Super Bowl is ‘Hey, that’s Mississippi right there. He’s from south Mississippi. I remember watching him play at USM, and just won a Super Bowl. You know, lots of respect.
“Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the nation. And if you from Mississippi, and you win a Super Bowl, you’re someone who has reached the Mount Rushmore. So it was a proud moment.”
As much as Packers fans felt betrayed when Favre signed with the Vikings (and the documentary covers that as well), the feeling of betrayal that citizens of Mississippi feel because of this welfare scandal is much worse. Football, after all, is a game (as much as some fans will argue that it is more than that to them). The welfare fund that Favre is accused of stealing from is literally the lifeline for thousands of people.
Watching the documentary, and hearing from people affected by the scandal, really gives a whole new appreciation for the severity of what Favre is accused of (but has not been charged for).
3. Brett Favre Was Notoriously Frugal with His Money
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Brett Favre made over $100 million in his NFL career. That, as the documentary points out, does not include the tens of millions of dollars he made from his endorsement deals.
However, when it came to spending his money, Favre was notoriously stingy.
Dylan Tomlinson, a Packers journalist, was interviewed for the documentary. He states at one point:
“I’ve been to lunch with Aaron Rodgers maybe three times, he picked up the check each time. As opposed to the way Brett was. He was gone before the check hit the table.”
Maggie Mahoney, part of the management team at Brett Favre’s Steakhouse in Green Bay, said of him:
“He comes from a traditional background. Hard workers. You never throw money away. He likes hunting, hanging out with his buddies, and mowing the lawn. He hasn’t really asked for much out of life. Which is why when the accusations first became public, I was like, ‘Why would he do that? That makes zero sense. He could probably just write a check.’
Later in the documentary, she tells a story about a time he paid with a credit card at his own steakhouse. When she ran the card, it didn’t work because it wasn’t activated. When she informed him of this, Favre was confused. He did not know that a person needs to call the credit card company to activate a card.
He asked if she would do it for him.
She said, “No. It’s your card!”
The legal system still needs to play out as far as his welfare scandal goes, but the documentary sure did paint an unflattering image of Favre even if that is not taken into consideration.
