Hall of Fame Quarterback Brett Favre Has Been Put on Hold from the Air Waves
If you have heard about the Mississippi Welfare fraud scandal, it is most likely because former Green Bay Packer and Hall of Famer Brett Favre is involved.
Favre is one of the biggest stars in the world of the NFL. In his two-decade-long career, he has shattered several records and had 321 consecutive starts from 1992 to 2010.
In recent days, the former quarterback has been under scrutiny following allegations that he had misspent state funds in Mississippi that should have gone to low-income residents.
NBC reported that the welfare funds in question were part of the $86 million the federal government gives Mississippi each year to lift families out of poverty.
Allegedly, former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Favre diverted millions that were meant to aid the state’s poor families. The money was part of a federal program known as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which financially assists states with supporting low-income families with children.
What’s worse is that the reason behind the diversion was to create a volleyball stadium in a college where Favre’s daughter played.
Amid the scandal, SiriusXM has recently joined a Milwaukee radio station in halting Favre’s appearances on their airwaves, according to multiple reports. A company spokesperson confirmed the move to The Hollywood Reporter.
This past weekend, Richard Deitsch of The Athletic reported that Favre’s show on SiriusXM NFL Radio is now “on hold.”
The SiriusXM Blitz with Brett Favre and Bruce Murray, airs on Tuesdays and most recently had a broadcast on September 13th. Favre first began co-hosting the show in 2018.
It was last week that Front Office Sports reported that the parent company of ESPN Milwaukee has halted Favre’s weekly appearances on that radio station.
According to reports, Favre kept on pursuing the Mississippi state officials to secure funds for the new sports facility even though Bryant had told him that the misuse of state funds could be illegal and might land him in trouble.
“Use of these funds is tightly controlled,” Bryant told Favre, as per court filings. “Any improper use could result in violation of Federal Law. Auditors are currently reviewing the use of these funds.”
Favre continued his quest of securing $6 million for building a volleyball facility. The filings also suggest that Brett had texted Gov. Bryant asking for an additional $1.8 million for the facility.
“We obviously need your help big time and time is working against us,” Favre allegedly told Bryant. “And we feel that your name is the perfect choice for this facility, and we are not taking No for an answer! You are a Southern Miss Alumni, and folks need to know you are also a supporter of the University.”
As per the filing, Bryant had responded with, “We are going to get there. This was a great meeting. But we have to follow the law. I am too old for Federal Prison.”
The Hall of Famer has been accused of lying all along about not knowing that the money was for poor people.
Favre has not been charged with a crime, but the text messages from him and former Governor Bryant confirmed Favre knew where the money came from as he sought to build a volleyball arena at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Mississippi has filed a lawsuit, claiming Favre and others rerouted more than $20 million through a nonprofit to fund pet projects and pay for personal expenses.
Bryant has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, as well as theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, the Department of Justice announced on Sept. 22.
The backlash against Favre continues to mount. Award-winning author Jeff Pearlman has disowned his book on the player.
“On the day of extended Favre revelations, I wanna share something: I wrote a biography of the man that was largely glowing. Football heroics, overcoming obstacles, practical joker, etc. Yes, it included his grossness, addictions, treatment of women. But it was fairly positive,” tweeted Pearlman.
He continued in another tweet, “And, looking at it now, if I’m being brutally honest—I’d advise people not to read it. He’s a bad guy. He doesn’t deserve the icon treatment. He doesn’t deserve acclaim.”
Shannon Sharpe, whose brother played with Favre, wrote on Twitter, “You got to be a sorry mofo to steal from the lowest of the low … Brett Favre is taking from the underserved. You made $100+ million in the NFL!”
The ex-footballer, who also played for the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets, has denied the allegations against him.
His lawyer Bud Holmes told NBC News that Favre had not been charged with or accused of a crime or made aware the money was intended to help low-income children.
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