OAN Staff James Meyers
9:55 AM – Tuesday, September 24, 2024
NFL legend Brett Favre announced on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
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The famous Green Bay Packers quarterback delivered the sad news at his congressional hearing on federal welfare reform.
“Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,” the 54-year-old said. “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.”
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, including stiffness, shaking and difficulty with balance.
The former NFL quarterback said he believed that he suffered “thousands” of concussions during his playing career. In 2021, he advised parents to keep their children away from tackle football until the age of 14.
In an appearance on “The Bubba Army” radio show in 2022, Favre discussed how concussions were given less attention during the prime of his career.
“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,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Favre was at the hearing for being linked to a Mississippi welfare scandal dating back to 2020. Currently, Favre has not been criminally charged, but the state of Mississippi is suing 38 people or companies in an attempt to recoup $24 million of $77 million in federal welfare money.
Favre helped raise money for a University of Southern Mississippi athletic facility, but has denied knowing that a $5 million grant came from a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families welfare fund through the Mississippi Community Education Center.
He spent 16 of his 20 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, while playing for both the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings after his tenure in Green Bay.
During Favre’s long career he passed for 71,838 yards and 508 touchdowns, which ranks fourth all-time for both categories in NFL history.
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