Brett Favre, 54, Reveals He Has Parkinson’s Disease in Stunning Congressional Hearing Moment

Mar. 15, 2025

Brett Favre says he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a stunning revelation made while he was testifying in front of Congress on Tuesday, Sept. 24, about his alleged pocketing of public funds.

The former three-time NFL MVP, 54, appeared in front of Congress amida Mississippi lawsuitthat claims he and dozens of others took money meant to go to welfare programs and instead pocketed it for personal use. Favre has denied the allegations and has not been criminally charged.

The retired Green Bay Packers star was testifying in front of the House Ways and Means Committee about Prevacus, a company researching a cure for concussions, which he had raised money for in recent years. Favre reportedly convinced Mississippi state lawmakers to give him $2 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for the company, which a lawsuit against him claims he instead used for himself.

“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,” Favre reportedly told lawmakers, according toNBC News,ESPNandFox News.

“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 said.

Parkinson’s is a brain disease that impacts a person’s nervous system, causing uncontrollable physical movements such as shaking, as well as making it difficult to speak, according to theMayo Clinic. There is currently no cure for the disorder.

Brett Favre appears before the House Committee on Ways and Means on Sept. 24, 2024.AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The revelation came as Congress was questioning Favre about the Mississippi Department of Human Services’ lawsuit against the longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback and 40 others.

Brett Favre testifying on Capitol Hill on Sept. 24, 2024.AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

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Favre, who has denied the allegations against him, is accused of plotting withex-Mississippi Governor Phil Bryantto use at least $5 million of the funds in order to help build a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater and the school where his daughter played volleyball at the time.

Brett Favre.Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

AMississippi Todayreport last year included text messages Favre allegedly wrote which appeared to implicate him in the scheme.

In one text message, filed as part of Mississippi’s lawsuit over the TANF funds, Favre allegedly wrote: “If you were to pay me is there anyway media can find out where it came from and how much?”

The Mississippi state auditor who launched the investigation said Favre also received $1.1 million in state funds to make motivational speeches he never actually gave.

Favre has said he repaid the debt, PEOPLE previouslyreported, but the state auditor says the retired quarterback still owes $228,000 in interest.

source: people.com