Favre Fined, Not Suspended by NFL

By Justin Worsley,

If Brett Favre misses what will most likely be the last NFL game of his career, the NFL won't be responsible for it.

The league announced on Wednesday that the 41-year-old quarterback will be fined $50,000 for failure to cooperate with the league's investigation of several lewd photographs and voicemails allegedly left by Favre to Versus reporter Jenn Sterger while the two worked for the New York Jets in 2008.

Favre will not be suspended due to the lack of evidence in the case.

The story initially came out on Deadspin.com in October. The league also resorted to using forensic technology on picture to determine whether or not they were sent by the three-time league MVP. The analysis was not conclusive enough to finger Favre as the culprit.

Sterger was hired as the "Gameday Host" for the Jets in 2008, the same year the team traded for Favre. Her lawyer, Joseph R. Conway, has not stated whether or not Sterger will sue Favre, the Jets or the league.

Favre will most likely start the Vikings season finale against the Detroit Lions after missing last Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a concussion. Last month, his 20-year streak of 297 consecutive regular season starts was snapped when he suffered a shoulder injury in the opening drive against the Buffalo Bills.

The fine may look hefty, but in reality it is not. Favre has a salary of $16 million this season, which breaks down to $1 million per game. The $50,000 fine equates to 0.3-percent of his overall salary.