Former NFL star Brett Favre revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The Hall of Fame quarterback, appearing before Congress to testify about alleged misuse of taxpayer money in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, spoke before the House Ways and Means Committee. He has been accused of improperly using political connections to redirect TANF money to fund the construction of a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater.
“Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others, and I’m sure you’ll understand why 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 (public) money for his own use,” Favre told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Favre, played 20 NFL seasons, including 321 consecutive regular-season and playoff games. Favre spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers. He won the Super Bowl in the 1996-97 season and won back-to-back-to-back MVPs from 1995-1997.
Favre, 54, has said that he suffered “thousands” of concussions during his football career.
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes deterioration in the brain and affects motor skills by causing unintended or uncontrolled motor movements. Studies have previously suggested that playing football might increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Favre is accused of improperly received program money for speaking engagements that he never made. Favre allegedly accepted $1.1 in federal TANF funds through the state of Mississippi in exchange for speeches he never made. Favre also allegedly worked with former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant to send $5 million in TANF funds to build a new volleyball arena at Southern Mississippi while his daughter played for the team.
Favre has not been criminally charged, and he initially repaid $500,000 to Mississippi in May 2020 and the remaining $600,000 in October 2021.
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