Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre says he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre told Congress on Tuesday that he has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The revelation happened during Favre's testimony at a congressional hearing. "Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others," Favre […]
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre told Congress on Tuesday that he has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The revelation happened during Favre's testimony at a congressional hearing.
"Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others," Favre mentioned. "I'm sure you will understand, while it's too late for me because I've recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's, this is also a cause dear to my heart."
Brett Favre played in the NFL from 1991 through 2010, for the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings. The legendary quarterback recently said he suffered "thousands" of concussions playing football.
Favre was part of the hearing because his name was linked to a Mississippi welfare scandal in 2020. Favre would have lobbied for money from the "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families" (TANF), and $8 million of this amount would have gone to Favre himself, a volleyball arena of his alma mater, and a drug company he backed, as mentioned by Front Office Sports. The former quarterback has said he did not know the money came from TANF funds and he has not been criminally charged.
There is, however, a lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services to recover welfare money misspent, and Brett Favre is one of 43 defendants.
The disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects both the motor and non-motor systems of the body. The symptoms include tremors, slowness, rigidity, and balance issues.
Neurological problems have been a significant part of the discourse around the NFL over the last three decades, and the league has taken steps trying to improve safety levels for players.
Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, but barely played for his first team. He was acquired by the Green Bay Packers in 1992 and spent most of his career there, which included a Super Bowl title in 1996 and three MVP awards. Later in his career, he also played a season for the New York Jets and two for the Minnesota Vikings.
He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, and had the number 4 retired by the Packers.
Favre is 54 years old.
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