• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 7, 2025
Law

Pat McAfee Thought Letters From Brett Favre’s Lawyers Were ‘Fake’

  • FS1’s Shannon Sharpe and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White were also hit with defamation lawsuits.
  • Favre’s attorneys filed another motion to dismiss case brought over alleged misuse of welfare money.
McAfee Favre
Mason Burgin-FOS

PHOENIX — Pat McAfee told Front Office Sports 50 lawyers have offered to defend the punter-turned-sports media star from the defamation lawsuit filed by Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, whose legal team made another courtroom maneuver on Friday. 

McAfee touched on the lawsuit early in Friday’s “Pat McAfee Show,” telling his listeners and viewers he’s “excited” to see how the lawsuit filed against him in a Mississippi county court would turn out. 

“I’ll see you in court, pal,” McAfee proclaimed. 

Favre sued McAfee, FS1’s Shannon Sharpe, and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White for defamation over comments they made related to Favre’s alleged ties to the Mississippi welfare scandal. 

Favre’s legal team sent two letters each to McAfee and Sharpe, demanding them to retract their statements about Favre and apologize to the former Green Bay Packers great. In the two letters to McAfee, Favre’s attorneys also demanded McAfee delete any episodes that referenced Favre.

“Honestly, I was like, ‘Oh, this has gotta be fake,’” McAfee told FOS. “I thought it was like [WWE commentator] Michael Cole or maybe [former NFL kicker Adam] Vinatieri. There are humans in my life who would certainly go through a lot of things just to be like, ‘Oh, I got you.’ I thought it was a rib.”

“But I guess this is real life. It’s part of my life now, you know?”

Favre hasn’t been charged, although he is among several defendants in a lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). 

Brett Favre sues Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee, and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White .

Brett Favre Sues Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee for Defamation

Favre has been linked to about $8 million in misspent welfare funds.
February 9, 2023

Favre has been linked to about $8 million in misspent welfare funds. 

  • Favre allegedly pushed for $5 million from MDHS to construct a volleyball center at the University of Southern Mississippi. TANF funds can’t be used for brick-and-mortar projects. 
  • Favre was paid $1.1 million to conduct speeches he did not do. He repaid that amount to the state. 
  • Prevacus, a pharma company Favre backed, received $2.1 million. Prevacus developed two concussion-related products, but neither product has made it to market. 

Favre has denied knowing the source of the funds came from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. 

On Friday, Favre’s attorneys filed another motion to dismiss their client as a defendant in the lawsuit. 

“Favre had no control whatsoever over MDHS’s funds, he did not know that the funds at issue were welfare funds, and he did not have any reason to know that the funds were being misused—and MDHS does not and cannot allege that he did,” Favre’s attorney wrote in the filing obtained by FOS. 

“Favre, who is not a lawyer, would not have had any reason to suspect that MDHS and the various state officials and lawyers involved in planning, reviewing, and approving using ‘grant funds.’”

Mississippi Today was the first outlet to report the filing.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dentist Playing in U.S. Open Says Practice Fielding ‘a Ton of Inquiries’

Vogt was one of 15 amateurs to qualify for the U.S. Open.
exclusive

Fox, Shannon Sharpe Settled Physical Incident With Female PA

Sharpe’s reps confirm a past “physical” incident was settled by Fox.
Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe Offered Accuser ‘At Least’ $10 Million to Settle

The sides are now tussling over the existence of a video.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Wander Franco
June 26, 2025

Wander Franco Convicted of Child Sex Abuse, Receives 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Franco can avoid jail time but is unlikely to return to MLB.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium
June 24, 2025

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
June 24, 2025

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.