It’s rare that you’ll hear an author tell the world NOT to read his or her book.
But it’s also rare that a former NFL quarterback like Brett Favre worked with a former Mississippi governor to get funds meant for welfare in the state to help build a new volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi.
We’ve known for years that Favre was accused of using those funds, which were tied up in a huge embezzlement scandal in the state (for more, definitely read Alex McDaniel’s column about this from earlier this year).
On Tuesday, we learned from Mississippi Today that former governor Phil Bryant attempted to help get the money from those funds to the former quarterback. And that Favre, in a text message, asked for an assurance that the media would not find out where the money actually came from.
That brings us to Jeff Pearlman, who authored a biography of Favre published in 2016. He took to Twitter after the texts came to light and told everyone not to buy or read his book (WARNING: NSFW LANGUAGE AHEAD):
On the day of extended Favre revelations, I wanna share something: I wrote a biography of the man that was largely glowing. Football heroics, overcoming obstacles, practical joker, etc. Yes, it included his grossness, addictions, treatment of women. But it was fairly positive [1] pic.twitter.com/m1rJJ2sChf
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) September 13, 2022
And, looking at it now, if I'm being brutally honest—I'd advise people not to read it. He's a bad guy. He doesn't deserve the icon treatment. He doesn't deserve acclaim. Image rehabilitation. Warm stories of grid glory. His treatment of @jennifersterger was … inexcusable. [2] pic.twitter.com/SDlQujyJWn
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) September 13, 2022
And now—taking money that was designated to help poor people in HIS STATE, and funneling it to build (checks notes) A FUCKING VOLLEYBALL ARENA (!?!?!?) is so grotesque, so monstrous. I don't know how someone like that looks in the mirror. I just don't. [3] pic.twitter.com/8JhOJyFAJF
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) September 13, 2022
So, sincerely, don't buy the book, don't take it out from the library. Leave it. There are sooooo many better people worthy of your reading hours. Of your time. I prefer crumbs like Brett Favre shuffle off into the abyss, shamed by greed and selfishness. # pic.twitter.com/2hpBcTXlEM
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) September 13, 2022
