Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre defended himself as he testified to Congress on Tuesday amid his alleged misuse of Mississippi welfare funds.
"The challenges my family and I have faced over the last three years — because certain government officials in Mississippi fail to protect federal TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] funds from fraud and abuse, and are unjustifiably trying to blame me — those challenges have hurt my good name and are worse than anything I've faced in football," Favre said before the House Ways and Means Committee.
Favre has been accused of leveraging his political connections to funnel taxpayer dollars to himself and his alma mater.
"Throughout my career, there were many highs and many lows," the former Green Bay Packers quarterback said. "Those lows helped me find out who I really am. They taught me to persevere, overcome challenges, and succeed."
"When this started, I didn't know what TANF was," Favre continued. "Now I know TANF is one of the country's most important welfare programs to help people in need."
