Netflix has once again ignited the sports world with its latest installment of the acclaimed documentary series “Untold.” “Untold: The Fall of Favre” offers a raw examination of the celebrated and deeply controversial career of NFL icon Brett Favre. Directed by Rebecca Gitlitz, a filmmaker known for tackling stories rich in “nuance and complexity,” this documentary arrives as part of a compelling three-week “Untold” event, which also included “Untold: The Rise and Fall of AND1” (assuming “Shooting Guards” refers to this or a similar basketball theme, if not, the original “Shooting Guards” would be kept if it’s a distinct, known title) and “Untold: The Liver King.”
The premiere didn’t happen in a vacuum. It landed amidst a wave of pre-release anticipation, significantly fueled by Favre’s own reported displeasure and calls for a boycott of the film. This preemptive defense immediately framed the documentary as a contentious piece, promising a critical investigation rather than a hagiographic tribute. The film’s own synopsis serves as a direct challenge to a simplified heroic narrative: “Super Bowl Champion. Three-time NFL MVP. Hall of Famer. But that’s not the whole story.” This statement clearly signals the documentary’s intent to delve into the often-overlooked shadows of a storied career.
“Untold” has carved out a niche by exploring the intricate, often uncomfortable, and sometimes unflattering realities behind significant sports figures and events, from Manti Te’o’s catfishing ordeal to the BALCO scandal. The series often functions as a corrective to overly simplistic heroic narratives.
Furthermore, the timing of this release is significant. While some scandals, like the Jenn Sterger affair, are more than a decade old, the Mississippi welfare fraud scandal continues to have legal repercussions. By premiering now, the documentary aims to synthesize these various controversies into a cohesive narrative, illustrating what it terms a “pattern of unchecked behavior.” The film appears poised to reshape public memory and critically influence Brett Favre’s enduring legacy, particularly by “exposing patterns of behavior,” as the director stated.
Beyond the Legend: Unraveling Favre’s “Pattern of Unchecked Behavior”
At its core, “Untold: The Fall of Favre,” a collaborative production by EverWonder Studio, Front Office Sports, and Time Studios, sets out to unravel “the legacy of quarterback Brett Favre and his pattern of unchecked behavior.” The documentary’s central argument is that the various scandals are not isolated missteps but rather indicative of a recurring theme, potentially fostered by his immense fame and the systems that often insulate star athletes. It explicitly delves into “the dark side of sports stardom and the scandals that tarnished his legacy.”
The scope of the controversies addressed is extensive. The film prominently features the “explicit texting scandal” involving Jenn Sterger and Favre’s “involvement in a massive welfare fraud scheme that shocked the nation.” Beyond these two pillars, it touches on his struggles with “painkiller addiction to marital infidelities.” This broader context is underscored by Front Office Sports, a co-producer, which previously described Favre as “the womanizing, hard-partying quarterback whose secrets were fiercely protected in provincial Green Bay,” hinting at the depth of issues that may have been previously downplayed or shielded from public view.
The documentary thus appears to deconstruct the “hero” image that often provides a buffer for celebrated athletes. The mention of “fiercely protected secrets” and interviewee Peter King’s poignant observation, “People don’t want most of that stuff to come out, people want their heroes,” points to a critique of the ecosystem—fans, media, and perhaps organizations—that may enable such “unchecked behavior.” Favre was undeniably a beloved figure, and the film’s premise is that this adulation may have inadvertently allowed, or even encouraged, negative behaviors to persist. The narrative seems less about Favre in isolation and more about how a figure like Favre could navigate numerous scandals while largely retaining his heroic stature.
While the primary focus is on off-field conduct, the film may implicitly or explicitly draw connections between Favre’s revered “gunslinger” mentality on the field—characterized by risk-taking and improvisation—and a similar perceived recklessness or sense of impunity in his personal life. A thorough journalistic exploration would naturally consider whether the same traits that made him a football icon also contributed to the “pattern of unchecked behavior” that defines his “fall.”
The Jenn Sterger Scandal: A Voice Reclaims the Narrative
A significant and emotionally charged segment of “Untold: The Fall of Favre” is dedicated to the 2008 sexting scandal involving former New York Jets gameday host Jenn Sterger. Sterger is described as being “front and center” in the documentary, breaking her silence comprehensively nearly 15 years after the events occurred. Her direct involvement provides a crucial and personal anchor to the scandal, shifting the narrative from media reports and speculation to a firsthand account from the alleged victim. Her stark statement, “Brett Favre ultimately destroyed my life,” resonates throughout the film’s promotional material and sets a deeply damaging tone for this chapter of Favre’s story.
The documentary unearths details of Favre’s alleged conduct, including sending inappropriate text messages, voicemails, and explicit photos to Sterger during his 2008 season with the Jets. Sterger recounts being approached by a third party for her phone number on Favre’s behalf, an overture she claims to have repeatedly declined. The film apparently visualizes some of these alleged communications, with text messages reportedly including “You comin tonight?” and “I’ll send a car…” Additionally, a voicemail is presented in which Favre allegedly says, “I’d love for you to come over tonight.”
The aftermath of these allegations, including the NFL’s 2010 investigation, is also thoroughly examined. The league ultimately fined Favre $50,000, not for the alleged harassment, but for “failure to cooperate” with the investigation, stating it could not find sufficient proof of a policy violation. Favre admitted to sending voicemails but denied sending explicit pictures. “Untold: The Fall of Favre” highlights the “brutal victim-blaming” Sterger endured in the media and online, which she states severely impacted her career opportunities, while Favre’s iconic status remained largely intact.
Sterger’s testimony, when juxtaposed with the NFL’s minimal sanction of Favre, starkly illustrates the power imbalance that can exist between a star athlete and a team employee. The documentary appears poised to critique the NFL’s handling of the situation as a potential institutional failure to adequately protect its employees and hold its most prominent stars accountable, with some reports suggesting it aims to expose an “NFL cover-up.” Sterger’s assertion that the scandal “destroyed my life” speaks to profound and lasting psychological trauma and reputational damage—consequences that extend far beyond the initial professional impact and are often overlooked when such scandals first break. Her concluding remark in the trailer, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them,” suggests a painful, hard-won wisdom born from this experience.
The Mississippi Welfare Fraud Scheme: Public Funds and Private Interests
“Untold: The Fall of Favre” dedicates substantial attention to the more recent and arguably more complex Mississippi welfare fraud scheme, a scandal that has cast a long shadow over Favre’s post-retirement years. The documentary delves into Favre’s alleged involvement in the misdirection of over $1 million in funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, money intended for the state’s most impoverished residents. These funds were reportedly diverted to projects linked to Favre, including the construction of a new volleyball facility at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter played, and to Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company in which he was an investor. The documentary features “exclusive interviews” and “investigative digging,” aiming to “reopen the case” for public understanding, suggesting it may present new details or connect existing information in a new and compelling way.
Favre has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the matter, portraying himself as an “unwitting and tangential participant.” However, this narrative is challenged by figures like former U.S. Attorney Brad Pigott, who was hired to investigate the scandal and reportedly described Favre as a “ringleader” and the “driving force” behind millions in illegal transactions. While no criminal charges have been filed against Favre, he was ordered to repay a portion of the funds, and a civil lawsuit over the rightful interest remains ongoing. Favre, in turn, is pursuing a defamation lawsuit against the Mississippi state auditor who investigated the matter.
The welfare scandal, as potentially presented in the documentary, transcends individual greed. It points to a possible abuse of celebrity influence and highlights systemic vulnerabilities that could allow such a significant misapplication of public funds. The reported involvement of state officials and institutions, such as the Mississippi Department of Human Services, suggests a broader, more complex problem where the lines between public service and private interest became blurred. The documentary will likely underscore the stark and unsettling contrast between Favre’s carefully cultivated image of an “all-American, good ol’ Southern boy, gunslinger” and his alleged role in a scheme that deprived the poorest citizens of the nation’s poorest state of essential resources. This jarring juxtaposition is central to the “fall” narrative the film constructs, aiming to “shatter his legacy.”
Addiction and Infidelities
While the sexting scandal and the Mississippi welfare fraud scheme form the main pillars of the documentary’s critique, “Untold: The Fall of Favre” reportedly also addresses other personal struggles and controversies to round out its portrait of a “pattern of unchecked behavior.” The film is said to cover Favre’s battles with “painkiller addiction” and acknowledge “marital infidelities.” These elements may draw from or allude to revelations in Jeff Pearlman’s biography, “Gunslinger: The Remarkable, Improbable, Iconic Life of Brett Favre,” which detailed a turbulent lifestyle during the 1990s characterized by “So much booze. So many women. So many nights on the town.”
Though perhaps not explored with the same depth as the two primary scandals, the inclusion of these topics serves to reinforce the film’s central argument. By presenting a range of controversies, the documentary appears to aim to show that the major scandals were not isolated incidents but part of a broader, troubling narrative of questionable conduct. This cumulative depiction is likely intended to make it more difficult for viewers to dismiss any single event as an aberration, thereby lending more weight to the “fall” from grace.
While stories of addiction and infidelity are not uncommon in chronicles of celebrity lives, often framed as tragic side effects of fame, “Untold: The Fall of Favre” seems to position them differently. Instead of mere personal failings, they are presented as components of a character flaw or evidence of a systemic enabling of negative behavior, tying back to the “unchecked” aspect of the film’s thesis. Director Rebecca Gitlitz’s comments about “how, when fame rises, sometimes accountability drops” suggest the film will explore these personal issues not merely for their dramatic value but as further evidence of a lack of accountability, possibly exacerbated by Favre’s stardom.
Confronting Fame, Power, and Accountability
Director Rebecca Gitlitz has been notably articulate about the intentions behind “Untold: The Fall of Favre.” She posed a central question driving the film: “Is this the story of an American icon, or is it a cautionary tale? The dark side of fame?” This guiding question underpins the documentary’s investigative approach. Gitlitz also emphasized the “Untold” series’ commitment to telling “unfiltered stories no matter the depth.”
A recurring theme in her commentary is the relationship between fame and accountability. “This story about one of the greatest quarterbacks ever goes beyond the touchdowns and epic wins and lifts the veil on how, when fame rises, sometimes accountability drops,” Gitlitz explained. She further elaborated that the film “was made with the intention of exposing patterns of behavior, told by the people who lived with the consequences of Favre’s actions, to ask the public to consider whether success should be a shield for harmful behavior.”
“Untold: The Fall of Favre” is a piece designed to provoke broader societal reflection. The film invites introspection on the collective role played in enabling such figures.
Voices in the Film: Key Interviews and Perspectives
To construct its narrative, “Untold: The Fall of Favre” relies on a range of voices, most prominently that of Jenn Sterger. Beyond her central testimony, the documentary features interviews with veteran NFL writer Peter King and former NFL quarterback Michael Vick.
The inclusion of figures like King, a respected and long-standing voice in NFL media, and Vick, an athlete who has navigated his own significant public downfall and subsequent controversial comeback, implies an attempt to provide broader context and diverse perspectives on fame, scandal, media portrayal, and accountability in the sports world.
Favre: A Legend Under Fire
Brett Favre’s response to “Untold: The Fall of Favre” has been anything but passive. Reports leading up to the premiere indicated he expressed significant displeasure with the documentary, declined an opportunity to be interviewed, and initiated a call for a boycott on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He has reportedly characterized the film as an act of “character assassination.”
This defensive posture and attempts to discredit the documentary before its widespread release have added another layer of intrigue and public interest. It positions the film as a narrative that Favre perceives as a significant threat to his version of his story. His boycott and accusations of “character assassination” highlight an ongoing battle over his legacy.
The documentary serves as a powerful intervention in this contest for narrative control, and Favre’s reaction underscores its potential impact, setting up a direct confrontation between the film’s critical portrayal and Favre’s self-perception, as well as the image his supporters wish to maintain.
“Untold”: A Series Unafraid of the Dark Side?
“Untold: The Fall of Favre” joins a well-established and often lauded sports documentary series on Netflix. The “Untold” collection has a track record of delving into complex, multifaceted, and frequently controversial sports stories, including Manti Te’o’s catfishing scandal, the BALCO steroids saga, the rise of Jake Paul, and the infamous “Malice at the Palace” brawl. The series is recognized for its “thought-provoking storytelling” and its ability to “pull back the curtain on epic and enthralling sports stories.”
Interestingly, some past “Untold” episodes have faced criticism for allegedly painting overly sympathetic portraits of their controversial subjects. However, the promotional material and initial commentary surrounding “Untold: The Fall of Favre” suggest this particular installment “takes a decidedly different route,” promising a less forgiving and more overtly critical examination of its subject.
The continued production and evident popularity of the “Untold” series, especially such a potentially damning episode as “Untold: The Fall of Favre,” also point to a strong audience appetite for sports documentaries that transcend simple hagiography. There appears to be a significant market for narratives that engage with the darker, more problematic aspects of sports culture and its most celebrated icons, suggesting viewers are increasingly seeking more nuanced and critical perspectives on their sports heroes.
A Legacy Re-examined and the Price of Hero Worship
“Untold: The Fall of Favre” is a significant, uncomfortable, and potentially legacy-altering piece of sports journalism. The documentary meticulously lays out a case against a once universally revered sports hero, constructing a narrative around a “pattern of unchecked behavior” that spans multiple serious and public scandals. Through powerful firsthand testimony, particularly from Jenn Sterger, and a detailed review of the Mississippi welfare fraud scheme, the film does not shy away from the grimmer aspects of Favre’s story.
More profoundly, the film, guided by director Rebecca Gitlitz’s stated intentions, directly challenges viewers to consider the nature of hero worship, the responsibilities that inherently accompany fame and power, and the often-nonexistent accountability for those who transgress societal and ethical boundaries. It forces a re-examination not only of Brett Favre the individual but also of the systems and societal attitudes—within sports, media, and fandom—that may have enabled his alleged misconduct and fiercely protected his image for so long.
The documentary’s strength lies in its unflinching directness, the undeniable impact of Sterger’s narrative, and its comprehensive look at the Mississippi welfare scandal. It compels a confrontation with difficult questions about how society reconciles the on-field achievements of its athletic heroes with their off-field actions and, ultimately, whether “success should be a shield for harmful behavior.”
This film serves as a potent reminder of the documentary form’s capacity to shape public discourse, capable of reframing established narratives and prompting uncomfortable but necessary conversations years after events have transpired. While Brett Favre undoubtedly retains a legion of loyal fans, a critically framed documentary on a platform as vast as Netflix has the undeniable potential to cement the more troubling aspects of his story in the public consciousness.
For many, particularly younger audiences or those less intimately familiar with the details of his myriad controversies, “Untold: The Fall of Favre” could prove to be a defining moment in the long-term perception of a complicated and now deeply tarnished American icon.
Where to Watch “Untold: The Fall of Favre”
