Three-Time NFL MVP Brett Favre Reveals He Has Parkinson’s Disease

Brett Favre, one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks, has revealed he suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

The 54-year-old spent most of his 20-year career with the Green Bay Packers and is the only player to be named NFL MVP in three consecutive seasons, from 1995 to 1997.

A Super Bowl winner with the Packers in 1997, Favre revealed the news during a congressional hearing into an ongoing welfare fraud case.

“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug that I believed would help others,” Favre said.

“I’m sure you’ll understand, even though it’s too late for me because I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it’s also a cause that’s close to my heart.”

Favre, who has denied wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged, has been named in a civil lawsuit alleging misappropriation of federal welfare funds and is being sued for $727,000 (£543,000) in interest by the Mississippi state auditor.

Favre, who retired with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, said in 2013 that he suffered from memory loss, linking it to the long-term impact of head injuries during his playing career.

In December 2009, the NFL first recognized, external that concussions can have long-term consequences.

After reaching a $1 billion (£665m) settlement in 2015 to compensate former players, the NFL has pledged to spend $100m (£75m) on medical and technical research in 2016.