Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been recognized with Parkinson’s illness, he informed Congress on Tuesday as a part of testimony about his involvement in a welfare corruption scandal in Mississippi.
In 2022, welfare funds from the state of Mississippi had been redirected to fund talking engagements from Favre, in addition to initiatives on the College of Southern Mississippi, Favre’s alma mater. The previous Inexperienced Bay Packers star was accused of being paid $1.1 million for speeches he didn’t make and for lobbying for $5 million in state funds for use to construct a brand new volleyball facility at USM.
He was additionally an investor in a biotech firm linked to the case that was growing concussion remedies.
“Sadly, I additionally misplaced an funding in an organization that I believed was growing a breakthrough concussion drug I believed would assist others, and I’m positive you’ll perceive why it’s too late for me as a result of I’ve lately been recognized with Parkinson’s,” Favre mentioned earlier than the Home Methods and Means Committee.
Whereas it is unclear if Favre’s analysis is expounded to his 20 seasons enjoying within the NFL, the previous participant skilled “1000’s” of concussions all through his soccer profession, he mentioned.
A 2020 examine printed in Household Drugs and Group Well being discovered that even a single concussion can improve an individual’s probability of being recognized with Parkinson’s by 57%.
As for the alleged corruption, Favre maintains that he didn’t know the funds he obtained for talking engagements got here from the Momentary Help for Needy Households (TANF) program. He has since repaid the state $1.1 million. He has not been charged with against the law.
“The challenges my household and I’ve confronted over the past three years — as a result of sure authorities officers in Mississippi failed to guard federal TANF funds from fraud and abuse, and are unjustifiably attempting accountable me, these challenges have damage my good identify and are worse than something I confronted in soccer,” Favre mentioned Tuesday.
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