Brett Favre Seeks to Revive Defamation Case

Brett Favre is seeking to revive a defamation lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe, which was dismissed by a federal judge in October 2023. The lawsuit centers on Sharpe's 2022 comments accusing Favre of 'taking from the underserved' and 'stealing money from people that really needed that money' in relation to a Mississippi welfare scandal. Sharpe's remarks were deemed constitutionally protected speech by Judge Keith Starrett, who stated that no reasonable person would interpret them as literal theft. Favre's attorneys argue that Sharpe's statements could be perceived as factual, thus constituting defamation. The case is now before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Favre, who has denied any wrongdoing, is implicated in receiving $1.1 million in improperly allocated welfare funds intended for the poor.