Chalk up a win for Shannon Sharpe … Brett Favre‘s defamation lawsuit in opposition to the Corridor of Fame tight finish was dismissed by a decide on Monday, ruling the 3x Tremendous Bowl champ’s feedback are protected beneath the U.S. Structure.
Brett sued Shannon for feedback he made about Favre on FS1’s “Undisputed” in 2022, characterised by the HOF sign caller as “egregiously false.” Sharpe’s feedback involved the continuing fraud welfare scandal in Mississippi, the place Favre, together with dozens of others, are accused of misusing tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} over a several-year interval.
United States District Courtroom Choose Keith Starrett issued his ruling in a submitting, writing, “Sharpe’s comments are constitutionally protected rhetorical hyperbole using loose, figurative language.”
Starrett went on to dismiss the go well with for these causes.
Amongst Sharpe’s feedback, he accused Favre of “taking from the underserved” and stealing “cash from individuals that basically wanted that cash.”
Regardless of the ruling, Favre does not appear completed with Shannon … a rep for the Packers legend instructed ESPN he was evaluating their subsequent steps.
“We respectfully disagree with the court’s decision. Mr. Sharpe’s statements were unquestionably false and defamatory. We are considering our options,” Brett’s consultant instructed the community.
As for Shannon, he was thrilled with the information.
“The United States District Court 4 the Southern District of Mississippi 2day dismissed Brett Favre’s defamation lawsuit against me. The court found the statements were protected by the 1st Amendment 2 the Constitution. Thanks 2 my legal team and their handling of this case. 🙏🏾🙏🏾”
Shannon wasn’t the one retired NFL star turned media mogul in Favre’s sights. BF additionally sued Pat McAfee for defamation. Brett withdrew the lawsuit after Pat apologized on the air for accusing Favre of stealing from individuals in want.
Favre has NOT been charged criminally and has adamantly denied any wrongdoing within the welfare case