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Brett Favre drops heartbreaking health update during hearing testimony

September 24, 2024 | | Print Article

Legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre dropped a bombshell personal update during a congressional hearing on federal welfare reform.

The Hall of Fame quarterback was speaking to lawmakers before the House Ways and Means Committee on welfare reforms and misspending in Mississippi when he revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

He spoke again about having no knowledge of the source of millions in funding that went toward the construction of a volleyball facility for the University of Southern Mississippi which erupted into a scandal in 2022. His home state reportedly paid him over $1 million for speaking engagements using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) welfare funds.

“I wanted to help my alma mater and benefit the community,” Favre said Tuesday.

(Video Credit: C-SPAN)

“Southern Miss introduced me to the nonprofit to see if they could help with the funding. I had no way of knowing that there was anything wrong with how the state funded the project, especially since it was publicly approved by many state agencies and multiple attorneys including the attorney general,” the 54-year-old stated.

“The challenges my family and I have faced over the last three years because of certain government officials in Mississippi failed to protect federal TANF funds from fraud and abuse — and are unjustifiably trying to blame me — those challenges have hurt my good name and are worse than anything I have faced in football,” Favre said.

“Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,” he 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.”

“Recently, the doctor running the company pleaded guilty to taking money for his own use. I believe that I got swept up in a civil lawsuit at the instigation of state auditor Shad White,” Favre added.

The legendary player recently said he likely suffered “thousands” of concussions during his 20-season career, primarily playing with the Green Bay Packers.

“When you have ringing of the ears, seeing stars, that’s a concussion,” Favre said in a 2018 interview. “And if that is a concussion, I’ve had hundreds, maybe thousands, throughout my career, which is frightening.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time” and is, currently, incurable.

The  Parkinson’s Foundation notes that “having suffered a single concussion in one’s lifetime increased the likelihood of later being diagnosed with the neurological disease by 57%.”

Reactions to Favre heartbreaking diagnosis poured in on social media.

Frieda Powers
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