Brett Favre Says He Has Parkinson’s, Likely From Countless Concussions

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Brett Favre Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Brett Favre, the former star quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, disclosed on Tuesday that he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, The New York Times reports. He believes the condition likely stems from the thousands of concussions he sustained throughout his long career.

Testimony Before Congress

Favre made the admission while testifying before the U.S. Congress regarding allegations that he had misappropriated federal welfare funds, according to the NYT. He stated that he was unaware the money was intended for low-income families and denied any wrongdoing. Some of the funds in question were invested in the drug company Prevacus, which was researching treatments for concussions.

“Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,” Favre said during the hearing. “And 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.”

The Broader Impact of Head Trauma in Sports

Beyond the controversy, Favre’s disclosure highlights the serious long-term risks athletes face from repeated head injuries. One of the most widely discussed conditions is chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disorder strongly associated with concussions. In recent years, CTE has received significant attention due to cases involving athletes who later experienced severe behavioral changes, including incidents of violence and suicide.

Researchers have also identified a link between concussions and Parkinson’s disease, although this connection has not garnered the same level of public awareness in sports as CTE.

Common symptoms of Parkinson’s include difficulty with movement, balance problems, muscle stiffness, slurred speech, and tremors. As the disease progresses, patients may also experience memory issues and other cognitive impairments.

Favre’s History with Concussions

Brett Favre Says He Has Parkinson’s, Likely From Countless Concussions A few years ago, during a radio interview, Favre acknowledged that he had likely suffered thousands of concussions over his 20-year NFL career, in addition to those sustained during his college years.

“Concussions happen all the time,” Favre said. “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.”

“So, based on that, [I’ve suffered] thousands,” he added. “Had to be, because every time my head hit the turf, there was ringing or stars going, flash bulbs… but I was still able to play.”

Prior to publicly sharing his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Favre had spoken about experiencing memory loss and speech difficulties, which he attributed to his history of head trauma. He has also advocated for stricter safety measures, urging parents not to allow children to play tackle football until at least age 14.

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