Brett Favre Discloses Parkinson’s Diagnosis During Congressional Testimony on Welfare Misuse

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brett Favre, the retired NFL quarterback renowned for his career with the Green Bay Packers, disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The revelation occurred during his testimony to a congressional committee on Tuesday, where he was involved in discussions concerning a welfare misspending scandal in Mississippi.

Favre’s admission emerged as he addressed a Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee investigating welfare reform. The football veteran has been implicated in a case of welfare fund misuse in Mississippi, though he does not face criminal charges. Favre has reimbursed over $1 million for speaking fees sourced from welfare programs and has voiced frustration over unsubstantiated accusations aimed at him.

The welfare misuse case involves Favre and others in the alleged improper allocation of state funds intended for impoverished families, which instead were directed towards ventures favored by Favre, including the construction of a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter was an athlete.

In his testimony, Favre stated he was unaware that the funds he received came from welfare programs. Moreover, he explained his investment in Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company that claimed to be developing a concussion treatment drug, asserting, “I thought it would help others.” He clarified that the diagnosis of Parkinson’s has revealed the limitations this would pose for himself.

Favre’s diagnosis, a nervous system disorder known as Parkinson’s disease, is characterized by symptoms including tremors and issues with movement and speech. Although its exact cause is undetermined, it follows that Favre, who estimated experiencing “thousands” of concussions during his NFL career from 1991 to 2010, acknowledged the potential risks associated with repeated brain injuries.

During a 2018 interview, Favre revealed he had only been diagnosed with “three or four” concussions during his career. However, advancements in concussion research have led him to conclude he may have sustained many more. “When you have ringing of the ears, seeing stars — that’s a concussion. And if that is a concussion, I’ve had hundreds, probably thousands, throughout my career, which is frightening,” he said.

Favre attended the congressional hearing to advocate for reforms in the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to prevent future cases of welfare fund mismanagement.