Shannon Sharpe reacts to winning defamation case against Brett Favre
Shannon Sharpe has won his defamation case against Brett Favre. The former NFL quarterback filed the defamation case in February 2023, alleging Sharpe had accused him of wrongdoing in the Mississippi Welfare case.
Sharpe announced on the latest episode of his "Nightcap" podcast with Chad Johnson that he had won the case. The Hall of Fame tight end defended his stance and shared his thoughts on the lawsuit.
"I don't believe I defamed Brett Favre. I believe I offered a very strong opinion on what was reported. I was surprised he filed a lawsuit." [1:20]
Sharpe then told Chad Johnson that he wouldn't be apologizing for what he said and that he was just glad that the case was behind him.
"I would never go and apologize 'cause I don't believe I did anything wrong. I don't believe I defamed Brett. [2:55]
"Hopefully, it's over. I wish Brett nothing but the best." [4:25]
Sharpe said that his opinion on the Mississippi Welfare case was only meant to help bring attention to the less fortunate. He said that he wanted to stand up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves and believed that if the money was intended for those citizens, then they deserved every penny.
What was Brett Favre's lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe?
In February 2023, Brett Favre sued both Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee for defamation after both former NFL players spoke about allegations made against him. In 2020, the state of Mississippi did an internal audit to find millions of missing funds that were intended for those on welfare.
Favre was accused of being paid $1 million for speaking engagements that he never did. After the allegations were made public, the former NFL quarterback paid back the funds to the state. He allegedly still owes Mississippi the interest on the payment.
Shannon Sharpe, who was still a co-host on "Undisputed" at the time, spoke about the case on the show. Brett Favre accused Sharpe of defamation and said that his comments were an insult to his character.
The lawsuit was originally thrown out in October 2023 as Shannon Sharpe was protected by the First Amendment and allowed to speak freely. Favre then filed an appeal on the case which was dismissed earlier this week, ending the back-and-forth legal tug-of-war between both parties.