During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre revealed that he has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
This progressive neurological disorder impacts movement and leads to the deterioration of certain brain functions.
Addressing the House Ways and Means Committee, Favre discussed Prevacus, a company developing a concussion treatment that received $2 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds.
Favre, the leading investor in Prevacus, began reaching out to state officials for assistance in securing funding for the company as early as November 2018, according to text messages.
“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company I believed was on the verge of creating a groundbreaking concussion drug that I hoped would benefit others,” Favre stated in his opening remarks.
“I’m sure you can understand why this hits close to home for me, as I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. This cause is now even more personal to me.”
Jacob VanLandingham, the founder of Prevacus, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in July, admitting that he misused Mississippi welfare funds to settle gambling and other debts.
Favre also discussed his connection to a massive welfare fraud case in Mississippi, where a 2019 state audit revealed that at least $77 million in TANF funds meant for impoverished families had been diverted to benefit the wealthy and influential.
In a 2018 interview, Favre, now 54, was asked how many concussions he had experienced. He mentioned being aware of “three or four” but speculated that he may have sustained more than 1,000 concussions over his 20-season NFL career.
“When you experience ringing in the ears or see stars, that’s a concussion,” Favre said on the “Today” show. “If that’s the case, I’ve had hundreds, possibly thousands, throughout my career, which is a terrifying thought.”
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