Jenn Sterger
Jennifer Lynette Sterger (born November 29, 1983) is an American actress, comedian, voice-over artist, and former sports broadcaster and model.[1][2]
She first gained public attention as a Florida State University student in 2005 after her image was broadcast during a nationally televised football game, leading to modeling opportunities with publications such as Maxim and Playboy.[3][4]
Sterger subsequently worked as a sideline reporter for Rutgers University football games on the Big East Network and served as the New York Jets' gameday host in 2008.[3][5]
Her career was significantly impacted by a scandal in which she alleged that quarterback Brett Favre sent her unsolicited explicit photographs and voicemails during his tenure with the Jets, prompting an NFL investigation that resulted in a $50,000 fine against Favre for conduct detrimental to the league.[5][6]
Sterger later pursued acting roles, including in the film The Tenant (2010), and transitioned into comedy and voice work while advocating for animals.[1][7]
Early Life and Education
Childhood and University Years
Jennifer Sterger was born Jennifer Lynette Sterger on November 29, 1983, in Miami, Florida.[8][9] She spent much of her upbringing in the Tampa area, attending Gaither High School.[10] Sterger enrolled at Florida State University (FSU), where she studied as an undergraduate.[11] During her time there, she gained early public visibility in October 2005 after attending an FSU football game following a bar shift, where a photograph of her in a cropped jersey exposing her midriff circulated widely online, earning her the moniker "FSU Cowgirl" and establishing her as a recognizable sideline co-ed figure among college sports enthusiasts.[12] This image, captured during the game against the University of Miami, marked her initial brush with viral internet fame, predating her formal entry into media.[13]Professional Career
Initial Rise in Modeling and Media
Jenn Sterger first gained widespread public attention on September 5, 2005, during a televised Florida State Seminoles versus Miami Hurricanes football game, when broadcaster Brent Musburger commented on her appearance in the crowd, wearing a bikini top and cowboy hat, dubbing her an iconic fan and sparking viral interest online as the "FSU Cowgirl."[14] This unexpected exposure, while still a student at Florida State University, marked the beginning of her transition into modeling and media, leveraging the buzz from fan sites and early internet fame.[15] The viral moment quickly translated into print modeling opportunities in the mid-2000s. Sterger featured prominently in Maxim magazine's March 2006 issue as part of a spread on FSU Cowgirls, contributing to her recognition in men's lifestyle publications.[16] She also appeared in Playboy's May 2006 "Top Ten Party Schools" edition, further solidifying her presence in promotional and pictorial work tied to college sports culture.[17] These gigs established her as a recognizable figure in sports-adjacent entertainment, blending fan appeal with commercial modeling. Following her graduation from Florida State University in the summer of 2007, Sterger expanded into promotional roles, serving as a spokesperson for brands including Dr Pepper and Sprint, which involved media segments and streaming video features.[13] Her early media exposure extended to entertainment outlets, such as features on E! networks, building a foundation in public-facing work before deeper involvement in broadcasting.[18] This period highlighted her shift from collegiate notoriety to professional modeling and endorsement deals, with dated appearances providing empirical markers of her rising profile.[19]