Gaither Grad Jenn Sterger Trying to Shed Scandalous Image

Just don’t call her “The Brett Favre Girl.”

Jenn Sterger is fed up with the moniker that disgraced her reputation thanks to the sexual harassment scandal that involved the NFL superstar.

Sterger always had a penchant for performing, and as a child, would belt out Annie’s “Tomorrow” for her grandparents, complete with a sweet Southern drawl. The stunning brunette and grad was discovered in 2005 after an ABC camera panned on her in the stands at a college football game as sportscaster Brent Musberger joked, “1,500 red-blooded American just decided to apply to Florida State.”

From there, her I-want-to-be-a-model aspirations came true after posing for both Maxim and Playboy. She impressed the editors of Sports Illustrated, who offered the now 27-year-old her own column.  Soon thereafter, the New York Jets hired her to work the sidelines as a game day host. 

Sterger was on cloud nine until, she alleges, Favre began harassing her in 2008 with text messages, voice mails, and pornographic photos. Favre, who has since retired, was fined $50,000 by the NFL for failing to cooperate in an investigation into the matter.

The story erupted two years later in October 2010, after she says a blogger friend betrayed her. 

She retreated to her parents’ home in Lutz, miles away from the relentless paparazzi, and finally broke her silence earlier this year to George Stephanopoulos during a two-part Good Morning America interview. She revealed that she “never wanted anything from (Favre),” and had “never met him,” adding that his attention was “unflattering."

Despite a pending lawsuit filed earlier this year in Hillsborough County against her former friend and manager, New York sports agent Phillip Reese, Sterger says she wants to put her past behind her. 

Patch spoke to the die-hard Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Rays fan, who will host Spike TV’s new bowling show, Spike’s Spare Time.

“I’m so uncoordinated, but bowling is the one sport I’m good at, so this is the perfect outlet for me,” she says.

Patch:  Were you a Jets fan before they hired you?   

Sterger: It was a job and I enjoyed working with passionate fans.  But, I was raised a Dolphins fan, and when we moved to Tampa, we “adopted” the Bucs, and my allegiance remains with them.  And, I loved the Rays before the Rays were cool. They were a young, inexperienced team for so long, and they’ve finally found the right formula. I love watching them beat the Yankees and the Red Sox!

Patch:  What was your greatest career accomplishment? 

Sterger:  Working with Sports Illustrated and being a published writer with such an esteemed publication right out of college was amazing.  I’m also really enjoying this new vibe with Spike (TV). It’s so outside the box from anything I’ve done and will expose me to a new audience. 

Patch:  Was it therapeutic for you to tell your side of the story on Good Morning America? 

Sterger:  Honestly, it was more therapeutic for my family. I hadn’t done anything wrong and wanted them to have a sense of peace.  I knew what was being said down in Tampa — all the criticisms.  My goal was to simply tell my side, without pointing fingers or throwing anyone under the bus.  To this day, it’s tough for me to watch the news.  I often wonder how much is real, and how much is speculation.

Patch:  You had your implants removed because you were tired of being stereotyped?

Sterger:  I had them done in Tampa and I loved them. They were like a superhero costume and I felt invincible, but I was ready to give this industry (acting/hosting) a shot, and so far, it seems to be working!

Patch:  Are you recognized often?

Sterger:  Too often, especially in New York. Not only is this a pedestrian city, but you can’t help it if you’re on the cover on the New York Post for the wrong reasons.  People are usually respectful to my face, though some may whisper behind my back.  Many have admitted that they are surprised how “real” I am once they meet me.   

Patch:  What advice do you have to young girls who are looking to break into “the biz?"

Sterger: Make sure you are ready for it, especially if it happens overnight like it did for me. I enjoy what I do, but I can do without the “extras.” I don’t enjoy being hounded by aggressive paparazzi who have very little regard for you as a person. They’ll often say things to evoke a reaction, and you just have to be the bigger person. 

Patch:  How often do you come down to Tampa?

Sterger:  Family is so important to me, and I try to get down at least once a month. The great thing about my trips to Tampa are the people, people who knew and loved me before all of this blew up.  When the headlines broke, my parents completely supported me. During that time, I weeded out a lot of people in my life; people who were in it for all the wrong reasons. But I am grateful for the family and friends who have stuck by me. I remember hearing and watching interviews with people who said they knew me because we had a class together, but I had never met them in my life.

Patch:  You are obviously comfortable in front of the camera, but what celeb would get you tongue-tied? 

Sterger:  People whose careers I respect the most — witty women like Chelsea Handler, Tina Fey and Anna Faris. I’ve been around so many pro athletes that I’m desensitized by them already.

Patch:  What do you want to say to your fans and supporters? 

Sterger:  Thank you for not turning your backs on me. It was tough to not to start to believe the things I heard about myself, but you stuck through it with me. I’ve emerged from this, and things are looking up and I’m very excited about the future! I enjoy connecting with people through my acting, writing, hosting … I just love making people laugh.

“Spike’s Spare Time” appears on Spike TV. Also, check out Sterger’s website and Facebook page.