Brett Favre 'not sure' about broadcasting after linked to Monday Night Football audition
Brett Favre’s television endeavors appear to be limited to promoting a new treatment for concussions.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback took to Twitter on Tuesday night to confirm that he met with ESPN over the opening left by Jon Gruden’s departure to coach the Oakland Raiders, but said he was uncertain about whether he wants a career in front of the camera.
“Truth is I had a good meeting about possibly joining the MNF crew,” Favre wrote. “I was intrigued when they called yet not sure I want to pursue a broadcasting career right now. I wish them the best of luck and a great season.”
Earlier Tuesday, The New York Post reported that Favre auditioned for ESPN executives in New York recently and had a less-than-stellar tryout.
Favre appeared remotely from his home for a segment for Megyn Kelly Today last week to promote a new concussion treatment that is still in development from the upstart company Prevacus.
“I find that more short term memory, someone I met six months ago, in other words, it has gotten a lot worse in regards to short term, simple words that would normally come out easy in a conversation, I will stammer,” Favre said on the NBC show. “And look, I am 48 years old, I haven’t played in 20 years."
Favre serves as a spokesperson for Prevacus, which was founded by neuroscientist and former Florida State University Medical School professor Jake VanLandingham. Prevacus developed a treatment delivered nasally (in powder form) given in the immediate aftermath of a suspected concussion that the company claims can reduce brain inflammation and swelling.
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In an interview earlier this year with Paste BN Sports, Favre estimated he might have suffered “hundreds” of concussions during his playing career, something that has him worried he’d suffer the same mental decline associated with CTE.
Those concerns also have led Favre to partner with and invest in Prevacus, which also has the backing of former NFL quarterbacks Matt Hasselback and Kurt Warner, Hall of Fame team owner Eddie DeBartolo and former soccer standout Abby Wambach.
“I don’t even think you can put a value on how important this would be,” Favre said. “What Jake is doing could help save youth football. Parents are steering their kids in other directions. I know I’ve seen it. Families are choosing to play soccer or baseball. I think this will change the way we look at concussions. It will always be a serious issue, but what if there was a treatment for it?”
Currently, the only accepted treatment for concussions is rest.
Clinical trials on humans are expected to begin later this year. It also must gain FDA approval.
In the meantime, the Prevacus team is building out models for the use of this drug globally.
"People don't realize that traumatic brain injuries are the largest epidemic of any neurological disease," VanLandingham said.
“There’s over 5 million concussions sustained in the U.S. alone each year. There’s over 3 million sports-related concussions sustained in the U.S. each year. It’s two-fold higher than any other neurological disease diagnosed annually in the United States," he said.
“It’s truly an epidemic.”
Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat contributed to this report.