Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee under fire as Brett Favre sues for defamation
Brett Favre has decided to sue Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee for defamation for their comments regarding the quarterback's role in the Mississippi welfare scandal.
It has been alleged that the Hall of Fame quarterback used his influence to reroute money from a nearly $77 million welfare fund to the construction of a volleyball court at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi. His daughter was also enrolled there at the time and participated in volleyball. He was also accused of charging fees for speeches that he never made. Although he has repaid those fees, he has reportedly not paid back the interest.
Brett Favre has always pushed back on the allegations and is now moving forward in putting his money where his mouth is. He is suing Pat McAfee and Shannon Sharpe for "defamatory allegations," along with Mississippi auditor Shad White.
Shad White has claimed the discovery of $5 million from a welfare fund called TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) was given to the University of Southern Mississippi. The quarterback's spokesperson said:
"Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee tried to further their careers by making baseless defamatory allegations against Brett Favre... Shad White has done a disservice to the people of Mississippi. Here is some free advice for Shad White: do what state auditors are supposed to do – fix the state’s failure to have controls in place to ensure that it properly safeguards the taxpayers’ money, not smear the reputations of private citizens to serve his own personal and political ambitions."
“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!”
— Shannon Sharpe, whose brother played with Favre, goes off on the former QB for allegedly participating in a MS welfare scheme https://t.co/oJ8eL0pqDh
Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee yet to comment on Brett Favre's lawsuit, but Shad White fires back
Shad White has not taken kindly to the counter-allegations made by Brett Favre. He has stood his ground and his office responded:
"Everything Auditor White has said about this case is true and is backed by years of audit work by the professionals at the Office of the State Auditor. It’s mind giggling that Mr. Favre wants to have a trial about that question."
He added that this litigation is being pursued by the quarterback despite repaying some of the money demanded.
"Mr. Favre has called Auditor White and his team liars, despite repaying some of the money our office demanded from him. He’s also claimed the auditors are liars, despite clear documentary evidence showing he benefitted from the misspent funds. Instead of paying New York litigators to try this case, he’d be better off fully repaying the amount of welfare funds he owes the state."
Report: Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre is suing @ShannonSharpe and @PatMcAfeeShow, for 'defamatory allegations' made over his involvement in a $77 million welfare fraud scheme, per @DailyMail
dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/arti… https://t.co/evQY8cdRMI
Neither party seems to be backing down, and it does not look likely that Shannon Sharpe or Pat McAfee will either, if and when they respond.