NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre shocked many when he announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The 54-year-old former Green Bay Packers quarterback revealed the news while testifying before Congress on Tuesday about welfare reform. Favre, who has been embroiled in a Mississippi welfare scandal, spoke about his condition during the hearing, connecting his diagnosis to his involvement in the development of a concussion drug.
Favre explained that his recent diagnosis was linked to his ongoing struggles with brain injuries sustained during his 20-year NFL career. “Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,” Favre told Congress. “I’m sure you’ll 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.” Favre’s emotional testimony added a personal dimension to the ongoing controversy surrounding his involvement in the misuse of Mississippi welfare funds.
Favre’s diagnosis has brought new attention to the risks associated with repeated head injuries in contact sports like football. In recent years, Favre has been outspoken about his experiences with concussions, estimating that he may have suffered “thousands” of concussions during his playing days. “Concussions happen all the time. You get tackled, and your head hits the turf, you see flashes of light or ringing in your ears, but you’re able to play — that’s a concussion,” Favre said during a 2022 appearance on “The Bubba Army” radio show. He also revealed in an interview with “OutKick” that his final NFL play resulted in a head injury, a painful reminder of the toll his career took on his health.
Favre spent 16 of his 20 NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers, where he became known as one of the league’s most durable and aggressive quarterbacks. His career stats speak for themselves: 71,838 passing yards and 508 touchdowns, both of which rank fourth all-time in NFL history. However, his 336 interceptions remain the most in league history, earning him the reputation of a “gunslinger” for his fearless style of play.
Despite his football achievements, Favre’s legacy has been clouded by his involvement in the Mississippi welfare scandal. The state of Mississippi is suing Favre and 37 others to recover millions in misallocated funds, including a $5 million grant that went toward the construction of a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi, where Favre’s daughter played volleyball. Favre has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he did not know that welfare funds were used for the project. “I had no idea where the money came from, and had I known, I would have never accepted it,” Favre said.
Favre was also paid $1.1 million for speeches he never gave, a payment he has since returned, though the state is now seeking additional interest on that amount. In his testimony before Congress, Favre called for reforms to ensure greater oversight of welfare funds to prevent similar abuses in the future. He expressed regret over the situation but maintained his innocence saying he had been unfairly targeted in the investigation, and that he and his family had faced challenges that they shouldn’t have had to go through.
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. It can cause tremors, muscle stiffness, and balance issues, among other symptoms. There is no cure for the disease, and its progression is typically slow but irreversible. Favre’s public disclosure of his diagnosis has raised awareness about the connection between head trauma and neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain condition linked to repeated head injuries in sports.
Favre’s diagnosis adds him to a growing list of former professional athletes who have been diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases, including Muhammad Ali and Jim McMahon. Medical experts have pointed to the need for better protection for athletes at all levels, particularly in sports like football, where head injuries are common. Favre himself has become an advocate for delaying the introduction of tackle football to children, urging parents to keep their kids out of the sport until they are at least 14 years old.
As Favre continues to battle both Parkinson’s disease and the legal fallout from the Mississippi welfare scandal, his story serves as a reminder of the risks professional athletes face long after their playing days are over. For now, the NFL legend’s focus is on raising awareness about brain injuries and ensuring that future generations of athletes are better protected.