Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre stunned the sports world on Tuesday when he revealed at a federal welfare reform hearing that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
At 54 years old, Favre shared his heartfelt news while speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington D.C.
The former Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP emphasized the critical need for “guardrails” in the distribution of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. In a poignant moment, Favre disclosed his diagnosis during a discussion about Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company once funded by his investment.
“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company that I thought was developing a breakthrough concussion drug that I thought would help other people,” Favre stated in his prepared testimony. “As you probably understand, even though it’s too late for me (because I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s), this is also a cause that’s close to my heart.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive movement disorder of the nervous system.
The Parkinson’s Foundation reports that more than 1 million individuals in the United States live with this condition, and nearly 90,000 are diagnosed annually.
Favre, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, achieved monumental career stats, amassing 71,838 passing yards, 508 touchdowns, and 336 interceptions over 302 career games (298 starts) with the Atlanta Falcons (1991), Green Bay Packers (1992-2007), New York Jets (2008), and Minnesota Vikings (2009-10).
As the sports community rallies around one of its icons, the legacy of Brett Favre—both on and off the field—continues to resonate with fans and players alike.
