Throughout testimony earlier than a congressional committee investigating the misuse of federal welfare funds, Inexperienced Bay Packers legend Brett Favre revealed Tuesday that he has Parkinson’s illness.
An individual who has suffered mind accidents like concussions, one thing Favre mentioned he skilled all through his 20-year Corridor of Fame soccer profession, has a higher probability of creating Parkinson’s, a latest examine revealed.
Parkinson’s is identical illness that Michael J. Fox has been battling for many years.
Here is what we learn about Favre after his Parkinson’s revelation.
Brett Favre age. How outdated is Brett Favre?
Brett Favre is 54. He turns 55 on Oct. 10. Parkinson’s illness normally begins round age 50 or older, the Mayo Clinic says.
Brett Favre reveals Parkinson’s illness
Favre mentioned Tuesday that he was not too long ago recognized with Parkinson’s illness. Favre did not say how lengthy he is had the nervous system dysfunction.
In accordance with the Mayo Clinic, signs of Parkinson’s embody tremors, slowed motion, inflexible muscle groups, poor posture and steadiness, lack of automated actions, speech modifications, writing modifications and nonmotor signs.
Danger elements embody age, genetics, male intercourse and publicity to toxins.
Parkinson’s illness is roofed within the NFL’s 2017 concussion settlement, becoming a member of ALS, Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Do concussions trigger Parkinson’s?
A 2020 examine additionally revealed a hyperlink between concussions and mind and neurological ailments like Parkinson’s and dementia. The examine by the Household Medication and Group Well being famous that having a single concussion elevated the chance of creating Parkinson’s by 57% and dementia by 72%.
“I can solely hope and pray at 55 or 60 (years outdated) I don’t undergo a few of the similar issues that a few of these different guys that have been portrayed in motion pictures suffered,” Favre mentioned in a video clip on concussions earlier than showing on “Megyn Kelly At the moment” in 2018.
What number of concussions did Brett Favre have in his profession?
Kelly then opened the interview asking Favre to provide her a quantity on what number of concussions he had in his profession. “That I do know of, three or 4, perhaps,” Favre mentioned.
However the complete is way higher, Favre added.
“As we’re studying about concussions there’s a time period that’s usually utilized in soccer and different sports activities. That I obtained dinged,” Favre defined. “As physician (Bennet) Omalu, who was portrayed by Will Smith within the film ‘Concussion,’ dinged is a concussion when you’ve got ringing of the ears, seeing stars. That’s a concussion and if that’s a concussion I’ve had a whole lot, most likely hundreds all through my profession. Which is scary.”
Brett Favre’s stats within the NFL
Favre performed 20 years within the NFL.
He was often called an ironman throughout his profession, beginning an NFL-record 321 consecutive video games throughout 18½ seasons from 1992 to 2010.
He started his profession with the Atlanta Falcons earlier than being traded to the Packers in his second yr, a transaction that modified the course of the group. He turned the primary participant in NFL historical past to win three straight MVP awards and turned the Packers right into a perennial contender. Favre led Inexperienced Bay to a Tremendous Bowl title after the 1996 season, its first in 35 years, and one other Tremendous Bowl look in 1997.
The Packers traded him to the New York Jets after he got here out of retirement in 2008. He spent one season there earlier than enjoying the ultimate two years of his profession with the Minnesota Vikings.
He retired after the 2010 season when he was 41 years outdated. On the time of his retirement, Favre had probably the most touchdowns in NFL historical past at 508. That document has since been handed and he’s fourth on the checklist behind Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Nicknamed the gunslinger, Favre was by no means afraid to take an opportunity when passing. His 336 interceptions are most in NFL historical past.
Favre was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2016.
Brett Favre welfare cash scandal
Regardless of all his on-the-field success, his popularity has taken a success on account of his alleged involvement in a welfare scandal in his dwelling state of Mississippi during which $77 million of federal funds supposed for needy households have been distributed for different makes use of.
Favre has not been charged with a criminal offense within the case and the previous quarterback has denied any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, he is been a central determine within the investigations and is certainly one of 43 individuals sued by the Mississippi Division of Human Companies searching for to reclaim extra funds.
Favre made his well being announcement whereas he was testifying on Capitol Hill earlier than the Methods and Means committee, which is investigating how states spend funds by way of the Non permanent Help for Needy Households (TANF).
Greater than $5 million of federal funds supposed for TANF went towards a brand new volleyball facility at Favre’s alma mater, the College of Southern Mississippi. Texts present Favre was engaged on fundraising cash for the power and reached out to 2 individuals (Human Companies govt John Davis and nonprofit director Nancy New), each of whom have been arrested for his or her half in misusing cash supposed to go towards households in want.
“I needed to assist my alma mater and assist my neighborhood,” Favre mentioned Tuesday. “I had no approach of understanding that there was something incorrect with how the state funded the mission, particularly because it was publicly accepted by many state companies and a number of attorneys together with the lawyer normal.”
He continued, “Sadly I additionally misplaced an funding in an organization that I consider was creating a breakthrough concussion drug I assumed would assist others. I am certain that you will perceive whereas it is too late for me as a result of I’ve not too long ago been recognized with Parkinson’s. That is additionally a trigger pricey to my coronary heart.”
Timeline:Brett Favre’s involvement within the Mississippi welfare fraud scheme
Favre mentioned he desires guardrails in place for TANF funds so “what occurs in Mississippi would not occur once more.”
“The challenges my household have confronted as a result of sure authorities officers in Mississippi failed to guard federal TANF funds from fraud and abuse and are unjustifiably attempting responsible me,” Favre alleged Tuesday. “These challenges have damage my good identify. These challenges are something worse than I’ve confronted in soccer.”
Brett Favre information: Watch former Packers quarterback communicate at congressional listening to
Brett Favre historical past, Southern Miss
Favre grew up in Kiln, Mississippi, and attended Hancock North Central Excessive College the place he was coached by his father, Irvin.
He then starred at Southern Mississippi in faculty. His No. 4 is retired on the college.
Favre was chosen by the Falcons within the second spherical of the 1992 NFL draft.
FAVRE HISTORY:Brett Favre’s wild journey, the unique reporting
