Brett Favre, the Hall of Fame quarterback, recently disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease during his testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee. This revelation came while he was addressing lawmakers regarding the ongoing investigation into the misuse of welfare funds in Mississippi, a scandal that has significantly impacted his reputation. Favre has claimed that he was misled into participating in the affair.
During his testimony, Favre discussed his financial losses related to an investment in Prevacus, a failed pharmaceutical company that was developing a concussion medication. He stated, “I also lost an investment in a company that I believe was developing a breakthrough concussion drug. I thought would help others, and I’m sure you’ll understand why it’s too late for me because I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.”
At a recent event in Little Rock, Favre wore a t-shirt that read “Everything Hurts” and appeared to struggle with his responses. He also showed signs of difficulty maintaining clarity during a radio interview prior to his testimony.
Neurological specialists have increasingly focused on the long-term health implications of contact sports, particularly in relation to concussions and their possible link to conditions like Parkinson’s. Having spent 20 years in the NFL as a quarterback, Favre endured numerous hits, which heightened his risk. He notably played every game from 1993 to 2009 without missing any, setting a record for consecutive starts.
In previous interviews, including one with TMZ Sports in 2022, he estimated that he experienced “thousands” of concussions during his football career, based on current medical definitions.
At 54 years old, Favre, an 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time MVP, is recognized as one of the highest-scoring quarterbacks in NFL history, holding fourth place in both passing yards and touchdowns. However, he has also been open about battling addiction to prescription painkillers during his career, which led him to undergo rehabilitation three times. He shared his experience with addiction in Little Rock, recounting times he took up to 16 Vicodin a night, stating, “Sixteen pills is hard to swallow at one time, and I would throw up and would pick them up out of the throw-up.”
Furthermore, Favre is set to appear in an upcoming documentary titled “Concussed: The American Dream,” which focuses on the issue of concussions within the NFL. He emphasized, “Concussions are serious, and they’re very serious. We look at them differently today, but the same problems still exist.”
Despite the challenges he has faced, Favre expressed no regrets about his football career. He remarked, “I never tried to be something I wasn’t. You live and learn from things, but for me, it all came down to I love playing. That’s what I grew up doing.”