Brett Favre Tied to Mississippi Welfare Scandal, Lost Radio Show

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre was tied to the Mississippi Welfare Scandal, one of the largest public corruption cases in the state's history, according to ESPN. The fallout hit his radio career almost immediately.

Favre's weekly show on SiriusXM NFL Radio was indefinitely suspended, while Milwaukee-based ESPN radio stations pulled his regular appearances, according to www.sportskeeda.com. The moves stripped the retired quarterback of two prominent platforms in a matter of days.

The suspensions came as the scandal widened around Favre's involvement. Text messages released in court filings showed Favre coordinating with then-Governor Phil Bryant, MDHS Director John Davis, and nonprofit leader Nancy New to secure state help for a $5 million volleyball facility at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter was a student-athlete.

Favre has not been criminally charged, and he has denied any wrongdoing, according to www.sportskeeda.com. Any criminal charges against him are not confirmed — the source states he has not been criminally charged.

THE WELFARE SCANDAL EXPLAINED

The Mississippi Welfare Scandal ranks among the largest public corruption cases in the state's history, involving millions of dollars in federal welfare money meant to help the state's poorest residents, according to ESPN.

The funds came from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Instead of reaching families in need, some of the money was diverted to well-known people, private businesses and projects that did not serve the program's intended recipients, per ESPN. The exact total of diverted funds is not specified in the source beyond "millions of dollars."

Favre's connection came through a specific project: he sought state help to construct a new $5 million volleyball facility at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter was a student-athlete, according to ESPN. Text messages released in court filings showed Favre coordinating with then-Governor Phil Bryant, MDHS Director John Davis, and nonprofit leader Nancy New to secure money for the project.

The scandal's reach extended beyond the volleyball court. Favre received $1.1 million from welfare funds between 2017 and 2018 for promotions, radio ads and appearances, per ESPN. According to the state audit, Favre did not actually attend or speak at these events.