MINNEAPOLIS – The NFL’s investigation into the alleged “sexting” case involving Vikings quarterback Brett Favre had gone quiet in recent weeks. That changed Thursday when the league finally was able to get an audience with the one person it needed most in order to gain closure.
Former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger met with NFL officials for three-plus hours at an undisclosed location in Manhattan to discuss the inappropriate photos and text messages that Favre allegedly sent her when he played for the Jets in 2008.
Sterger’s lawyer, Joseph Conway, confirmed the meeting took place but declined to give any specifics.
“I’m not going to comment as to anything that was said in the meeting,” Conway said. “… She cooperated with the NFL’s investigation by subjecting herself to the interview, answering questions and providing whatever materials she could provide to the NFL.”
Conway and Sterger’s manager, Phil Reese, were at the meeting as was NFL Vice President of Security Milt Ahlerich, who is leading the investigation.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, interviewed by NFL Network before the Falcons-Ravens game Thursday night, said he had not yet been briefed by his security staff on the discussion and that he expects to get an update Friday when he returns to his office in New York.
Asked if he now anticipates a quick conclusion, Goodell said: “I’m never pushed much by timelines. I think what you have to do is be fair, you have to try to get all the facts and make a smart decision. I think what we need to do here is make sure we have all those facts from as many different sources as we can. Our people have been working hard to gather all those facts and I’ll get an update (Friday).”
NFL.com reported Sterger turned over physical evidence, including records and materials related to her cell phone. The NFL has been trying to get a meeting with Sterger for several weeks.
Conway declined to comment on why Sterger, 26, finally decided she would sit down with the NFL to discuss what happened during a time she served as a sideline reporter for the Jets.
Goodell has said the focus of this inquiry is on “workplace conduct,” something that falls under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. If Favre is found to be in violation he could face a fine or suspension, although it seems likely he would get a meeting with Goodell before any drastic action took place.
Favre, 41, already met with Ahlerich, a former FBI agent, on Oct. 19 at Winter Park. Fox Sports reported that Favre admitted to leaving voicemails for Sterger while discussing the situation with Ahlerich but denied sending lewd photos.
Favre, who is married, has been asked numerous times in news conference about the situation but has declined to answer or responded by reshaping the question.
Favre has managed to extend his NFL-record of consecutive regular-season starts to 293 games this season, despite battling tendinitis in his throwing elbow, a stress fracture in his left ankle, another fracture in the same heel, a cut to his chin that required 10 stitches and most recently an issue with his calf.
Coming off a magical season in which he threw 33 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions and led the 12-4 Vikings to the NFC title game, Favre and his teammates haven’t recaptured that magic this year. Favre has thrown nine touchdowns and an NFL-worst 13 interceptions.
The Vikings will take a 3-5 record into Sunday’s game in Chicago, still attempting to rebound from the controversy that surrounded them last week when coach Brad Childress nearly lost his job for cutting wide receiver Randy Moss without first telling ownership. The Vikings did rebound to rally for a 27-24 victory over Arizona last Sunday with Favre throwing for a career-high 446 yards.
The website Deadspin first reported in August that Sterger had received inappropriate photos and messages from Favre. In October, the same site posted a video that contained the material allegedly sent to Sterger.
Shortly thereafter, Deadspin followed with a report that Favre made advances toward two female massage therapists who did part-time work for the Jets. The names of those women never were revealed, but the Jets did provide the league with their contact information. Deadspin officials have said Sterger did not provide them with the messages and videos and that they came from a third party.