Brett Favre files response to Shannon Sharpe's motion to dismiss defamation suit

Shannon Sharpe recently motioned to dismiss Brett Favre’s defamation lawsuit. However, on Wednesday, Favre fired back with a 24-page legal brief combatting the motion.

The conflict began on on Feb. 9, when Favre sued both Sharpe and Pat McAfee for defamation. Favre claimed the two media personalities used their platforms to push false accusations and insinuations regarding himself.

Over two weeks ago, McAfee was able to settle his case without a cash settlement. Sharpe has not had the same luck despite arguing his statements were opinions and hyperbole, not based in fact. Favre isn’t having it.

Update: Pat McAfee says that Brett Favre has withdrawn defamation case against him.pic.twitter.com/ZJqzcfQLh3

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 11, 2023

Criticism was first thrown at the 53-year-old former NFL star quarterback earlier this year after the Mississippi state department alleged Favre moved money from a welfare fund to to build an indoor practice facility for the University of Southern Mississippi University football team.

Favre claims the lawsuit pointed toward him is a distraction from the state department’s own responsibility for misspending of almost $100 million in public funds. Nonetheless, both Sharpe and McAfee’s comments were originally aimed at Favre.

“He’s been a sleaze ball. He’s been shady for a very, very long time,” Sharpe said on his FS1 show in September 2022. “Brett Favre is taking from the underserved.”

“You got to be a sorry mofo to steal from the lowest of the low … Brett Favre is taking from the underserved. You made $100+ million in the NFL!”

— Shannon Sharpe, whose brother played with Favre, goes off on the former QB for allegedly participating in a MS welfare scheme pic.twitter.com/oJ8eL0pqDh

— The Recount (@therecount) September 14, 2022

Meanwhile, Pat McAfee allegedly claimed Favre was “stealing from the poor people in Mississippi.” Still locked in a lawsuit with the Mississippi state department, Favre will have to face questioning over his knowledge of the welfare funds.

Yet, for now, Favre will await Sharpe’s reply to his brief in support of the original motion to dismiss the lawsuit. If Sharpe’s motion is accepted, the lawsuit ends. If not, the case will continue.