Brett Favre, a Hall of Fame quarterback, revealed during a congressional hearing that he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative nervous system disorder. He made the announcement while testifying about his involvement in a welfare scandal.
A 2020 study found that having a single concussion increased the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by 57%, and having multiple concussions further compounds the danger. Favre believes he may have suffered over 1,000 concussions during his 20-season NFL career.
Favre is one of dozens of defendants in a lawsuit seeking to recoup misappropriated welfare funds in Mississippi. He has denied wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged, but has been accused of using $1.1 million in TANF funds for speeches he never made.
Favre was the top investor in Prevacus, a company making a concussion drug that received $2 million of TANF funds. He began asking state officials for help securing funds for the company in November 2018, and eventually paid back the money he received for speeches he never made.
Favre called for more federal oversight of TANF funds during the congressional hearing, stating that the welfare scandal had upended his life and damaged his reputation. He denied any wrongdoing and claimed he was unaware of the source of the funds.
State auditor Shad White, who uncovered the fraud, denied Favre's claims that he was trying to tarnish his reputation to advance his own career. White stated that he was not asked to testify at the congressional hearing.
Favre is suing White for defamation, claiming that he has been unfairly targeted and that his reputation has been damaged. The lawsuit is ongoing, and Favre is under a gag order.
Favre faced a mostly friendly panel at the congressional hearing, with many praising his football career and thanking him for appearing before the committee. However, he faced tough questions from Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) about his involvement in the welfare scandal.