Brett Favre reveals Parkinson's diagnosis at congressional hearing

 Brett Favre reveals Parkinson's diagnosis at congressional hearing

Brett Favre reveals Parkinson's diagnosis at congressional hearing

Hall of Fame Quarterback Brett Favre Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis During Congressional Hearing


Brett Favre, the Hall of Fame quarterback, disclosed during a congressional hearing on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that impairs movement and causes brain deterioration. Favre made the announcement while testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee, during a hearing on welfare reform.


Favre’s testimony centered on **Prevacus**, a company developing a concussion drug that received $2 million from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Favre was the company’s top investor, and messages show that in late 2018, he sought assistance from state officials to secure funds for Prevacus.


"Unfortunately, I lost my investment in a company I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug that I thought could help others," Favre said. "Sadly, it's too late for me, as I've been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. This is a cause close to my heart."


A 2020 study found that even a single concussion raises the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by 57%. Having multiple concussions further increases the danger. Favre, 54, previously estimated that he may have suffered more than 1,000 concussions during his 20-year NFL career, although he only recalls "three or four" definitively.


"When you experience ringing in your ears or see stars, that’s a concussion," Favre told the *Today* show in 2018. "If that counts, I’ve had hundreds, maybe thousands, throughout my career, and that’s frightening."


Favre’s revelation about his health condition overshadowed his testimony regarding TANF funds. These welfare funds are central to a high-profile Mississippi fraud case, which has embroiled Favre since 2022. According to a 2019 Mississippi state audit, at least $77 million in TANF funds, meant for impoverished families, were misappropriated. Favre is one of many defendants in a lawsuit aimed at recovering the diverted funds. While Favre has denied any wrongdoing, he has not been criminally charged.


In July, **Jacob VanLandingham**, the founder of Prevacus, became the seventh individual to plead guilty in connection with the welfare case, admitting that he used Mississippi welfare money to cover gambling debts and other expenses.


During the hearing, Favre called for increased federal oversight of TANF funds, stating that the welfare scandal has deeply affected his life. "I used to be well-received wherever I went. That's changed. I’ve been branded as someone who stole welfare money, which is far from the truth," he said.


Favre also explained that he had no knowledge of TANF funds when he sought support for Prevacus and a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater. Favre received $1.1 million in TANF funds for speaking engagements that the state auditor claims he never fulfilled. He eventually repaid the money.


"I had no way of knowing that there was anything wrong with the way the state funded the project," Favre said.


In text messages from 2017, Favre expressed concerns about whether the media would discover where the money came from and how much was involved. He also inquired whether his involvement could be kept confidential.


Favre accused Mississippi state auditor **Shad White**, whose office uncovered the fraud, of attempting to damage his reputation for political gain. "The challenges my family and I have faced over the last three years are worse than anything I dealt with in football," he said.


White, whom Favre is suing for defamation, told ESPN he was not asked to testify at the hearing. Favre, under a gag order related to the lawsuit, further claimed that Mississippi is using TANF funds to pay legal fees to sue him and other defendants.


During the hearing, Favre was met with praise for his football career, with several committee members expressing gratitude for his appearance. However, Rep. **Linda Sanchez** (D-Calif.) questioned Favre directly about whether he had paid interest on the TANF funds he received and whether it was acceptable to divert welfare money from women in need. Favre answered no to both.


Rep. **John Larson** (D-Conn.) told ESPN that committee chairman **Jason Smith** (R-Missouri) invited Favre to testify due to his celebrity status, despite Favre's lack of expertise on TANF.


**Jarvis Dortch**, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, who also testified, highlighted the disparity in how celebrities like Favre are treated compared to ordinary people. "If someone in Mississippi is accused of misspending $50 in SNAP benefits, their life is turned upside down," Dortch said. "But Mr. Favre, accused of misspending a million dollars, is testifying before Congress. Something is wrong with that."


*This report includes contributions from ESPN's Shwetha Surendran.*