Brett Favre has announced shocking news.
During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, the Hall of Fame quarterback revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that leads to the deterioration of parts of the brain and restricted movement.
People diagnosed with this devastating, incurable disease include well-known figures such as boxer Muhammad Ali, actor Michael J. Fox, singer Neil Diamond, former President George HW Bush and civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Favre, a three-time MVP and Green Bay Packers legend, spoke before the House Budget Committee about Prevacus, a company that makes a concussion drug and received $2 million in funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
Favre was a top investor and is named in a civil lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services alleging misappropriation of $77 million in welfare funds.
In August 2023, the Mississippi Supreme Court denied Favre’s request to exclude him as a defendant in the civil suit. No criminal charges have been filed against Favre, and he denies any wrongdoing.
“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug that I thought would help others,” Favre said. “And I’m sure you’ll understand why it’s too late for me because I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s. That’s another cause that’s very close to my heart.”
Prevacus founder Jacob VanLandingham pleaded guilty to wire fraud in July, admitting he used Mississippi welfare funds to pay off gambling and other debts.
