Goodell says he will meet with Favre if necessary

[October 13, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has no plans to meet with Brett Favre -- for now.

Goodell said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings that there is no timetable for wrapping up an investigation of an Internet report that the Vikings quarterback sent racy text messages and lewd photos to a former New York Jets game hostess.

"We're just looking for facts now," Goodell said at the meetings. "I am going to deal with it as we get the facts."

As for meeting with the game's all-time passing leader, Goodell said nothing is planned "but if it is something that would help us get to a conclusion and it is warranted, I will do so."

The investigation, announced last week, centers on a report by the sports website Deadspin that in 2008 Favre, then with the Jets, sent the photos and messages to Jenn Sterger.

Sterger's manager, Phil Reese, declined to say if his client has talked with the NFL.

"This is something that allegedly happened two years ago," Reese said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "We don't want a quick resolution, but the proper resolution."

Favre could be fined or suspended under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

"One of the reasons we instituted the personal conduct policy ... to make everyone understand their responsibilities," Goodell said. "We're not going down a line of speculation and hypothetical situations."

Favre has not responded to questions about the Deadspin report.

Deadspin reported the voice mails include a man asking to meet with Sterger, who now is a TV personality for the Versus network. The website posted a video that contained those messages and several below-the-waist photos -- said to be of Favre -- that were allegedly sent to Sterger's cell phone.

Deadspin also reported that Favre pursued two female massage therapists who worked part time for the Jets. The website didn't identify the women, however the Jets have said they gave contact information about them to the league.

Two high-profile quarterbacks recently were penalized for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Former Falcons star Michael Vick returned to the league in 2009 with Philadelphia after missing two seasons for his role in a dogfighting ring. He served an 18-month sentence in prison.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for six games in April after he was accused of, but not charged with, sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman at a Georgia college bar. Goodell shortened that ban to four games just before the season, and Roethlisberger will return to the field on Sunday against Cleveland.

[Associated Press; By BARRY WILNER]

AP Sports Writer Rick Freeman in New York contributed to this story.

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