Punishment for Sexting Teenie Weenie Pictures Falls Short

OK- Before I write this small piece about Favre (pun intended), let me give a couple of disclosures-
1. I am a Favre fan (even though I live in Bear country). I think he is one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game and I think that history will be kind to him, even though he probably should have stuck with the second declaration of retirement. Generally, I think he is a stand up kinda guy and that ‘awww, shucks’ Southern accent wins him tons of points in my book!
2. I am a (very) proud graduate of Miami University (and no, jackasses of the world- the name of the university is NOT Miami of Ohio. That state name was added for sports morons who can’t figure out that Miami University is in Oxford, Ohio and the University of Miami is in Miami, Florida). Miami University is often called the cradle of coaches and we have few athletes that are break out stars on the field (but we have some ROCKSTARS in the classrooms- and that is what really matters). One of our rock stars ON the field happens to be Ben Roethlisberger… so Big Ben and I have a common point in our backgrounds—just so everyone can know exactly where I am coming from. Disclosures over, let the rant begin!


I just read on Chicago Tribune’s website that Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Brett Favre, is being fined $50,000 and NOT being suspended for allegedly sexually harassing Jenn Sterger, a staff member for the Jets. Um, WTF?!?! A little over eight months ago, Big Ben was in trouble for allegedly sexually assaulting some girl in a Georgia bar. He was fined and SUSPENDED for six games (later it was revised to four games). Ben was neither charged NOR convicted of a crime, but was held accountable by the League under the Personal Conduct Policy of the NFL- and somehow Brett's situation was not gauged by this Policy at all!
The beginning of said Policy states: “All persons associated with the NFL are required to avoid “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.” This requirement applies to players, coaches, other team employees, owners, game officials and all others privileged to work in the National Football League.” Correct me if I am wrong but leaving unwanted voicemails and taking pictures of your teenie weenie peenie and send them to someone who has expressed no interest in such photos IS conduct detrimental… Right?!
The Policy goes on to say: “It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which the League is based, and is lawful. Persons who fail to live up to this standard of conduct are guilty of conduct detrimental and subject to discipline, even where the conduct itself does not result in conviction of a crime.” Discipline can be handed out for “Violent or threatening behavior among employees, whether in or outside the workplace” or “Conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.” I think showing the world your… shortcomings have to fall somewhere in there, Brett.


Let me say this: Ben’s behavior was reprehensible. There is no excuse for what he did (and I blogged about that here), however if Roger Goodell wants to hand out suspensions on the hopes that it will clean up the NFL, he needs to hand them out fairly. What is good for one sexually harassing QB is good for another!