Brett Favre reveals he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
Brett Favre testified before Congress on Tuesday — and revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s
Former NFL star quarterback Brett Favre revealed during a congressional hearing on Tuesday that he had “recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s” — a neurodegenerative disease.
Favre, 54, was speaking to the House Ways and Means Committee about Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company whose founder has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
“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. “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.”
Favre said he suffered “thousands” of concussions, a traumatic brain injury with links to Parkinson’s, during his illustrious NFL career.
Prevacus and its investors — including Favre — have been tied up in a sprawling welfare fraud case in which Mississippi money earmarked for needy families was allegedly misused.
At the center of the scandal is the Mississippi Community Education Center, a nonprofit whose founder pleaded guilty to embezzling funds intended for families in need. Mississippi’s state auditor alleged in 2021 that the nonprofit, along with another called the Family Resource Center, misspent more than $77 million in welfare funds.
Favre has not been charged, but he was named in a civil lawsuit.
The civil suit alleges Favre used his connections in Mississippi to help fund the construction of a volleyball stadium at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi.
Mississippi’s auditor alleged Favre was paid a $1.1 million speaking fee for speeches he never showed up for. Although Favre has since repaid the money, the auditor says he still owes thousands in interest.
At the time, Favre’s attorney told B-17 that the football legend had no idea that part of the money was coming from a fund for welfare payments.