Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre revealed that he was "recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease" during his testimony at a congressional hearing on federal welfare reform Tuesday (September 24).
Favre, 54, appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee hearing focusing on the need for "guardrails" in the dispersement of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds after a court filing previously revealed that about $8 million initially intended to help poor Mississippi families instead went to himself, a new volleyball facility at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter played the sport, and a drug company he backed in 2020.
“Sadly, I also lost my investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,” Favre said at the House hearing Tuesday. “As I’m sure you’ll understand, while it’s too late for me—I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s—this is also a cause dear to my heart.”
Favre participated in the recently released documentary Concussed: The American Dream and was candid about suffering numerous concussions during his 20-year NFL career, which included retiring as the all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and quarterback wins -- all of which are now records held by seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady -- and still holding the record for consecutive games played.
“Would I have done it different had I known?” Favre said in the documentary. “I don’t know that.”