Brett Favre

Latest News: Brett Favre Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease

Former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion Brett Favre announced during a congressional hearing on September 24 that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee, Favre addressed welfare accountability and reform issues, including allegations regarding the misuse of Mississippi state funds for personal and corporate purposes. During his testimony, he discussed his support for Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company developing a treatment for concussions, and used the occasion to share his health status.

“I’m sure you’ll understand why it’s too late for me, because I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. This is also a cause dear to my heart,” Favre stated. The Cleveland Clinic characterizes Parkinson’s disease as a progressive neurological disorder that can lead to symptoms such as tremors and balance difficulties. Notable individuals diagnosed with the condition include boxing legend Muhammad Ali, actor Michael J. Fox, and musician Ozzy Osbourne.

The Parkinson’s Foundation notes that individuals who have suffered a single concussion are 57 percent more likely to develop the disease. In 2018, Favre indicated that he had officially been diagnosed with “three or four” concussions throughout his football career, although he acknowledged the possibility of having experienced many more.

Who Is Brett Favre?

Brett Favre attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he excelled as a collegiate athlete before being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1991 NFL Draft. After being traded to the Green Bay Packers the following year, he led the team to victory in Super Bowl XXXI in 1997 and was named league MVP three consecutive times. Following shorter tenures with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, Favre retired from professional football after the 2010 season. The Mississippi native revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in September 2024.

Early Life and College

Brett Lorenzo Favre was born on October 10, 1969, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was the second of four children and spent his childhood immersed in the bayou’s natural beauty, frequently hunting and fishing with his three brothers. Favre displayed a keen passion and talent for both baseball and football from an early age. Initially, he excelled in baseball, securing a position in the starting rotation for Hancock North Central during the eighth grade.

However, influenced by his father—a dedicated football coach—Favre developed into a formidable quarterback throughout his time at Hancock North Central, where his father served as head coach. Despite his considerable talent, Favre’s skills did not attract significant attention from college scouts. Ultimately, he opted to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, largely due to the fact that it was the only institution offering him a scholarship. Favre distinguished himself as a resilient and competitive player during his college years, noted for his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and setting several school records, which laid the groundwork for his future success in the NFL.

NFL Career: Super Bowl Win and More

In the 1991 NFL Draft, Favre was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 33rd overall pick. However, his rookie season saw him taking only a handful of snaps as the franchise grappled with uncertainty regarding his future. When the Green Bay Packers offered a first-round pick in exchange for Favre, the Falcons made the trade, setting the stage for an extraordinary career.

Favre’s tenure with the Packers was marked by significant achievements, transforming the struggling franchise into a consistent contender. Over 16 seasons, he led the team to two Super Bowl appearances, securing victory in 1997, and made history by winning three consecutive NFL MVP awards. Notably, Favre started every game for the Packers from September 20, 1992, to January 20, 2008, establishing an incredible streak of 297 consecutive games—an NFL record.

Trade to New York Jets

In 2008, Favre was traded to the New York Jets after a period of indecision regarding retirement. His season began promisingly, but the team faltered down the stretch, losing four of their final five games and missing the playoffs. In April 2009, Favre was released from the Jets, enabling him to join the Minnesota Vikings. The seasoned quarterback thrived with the Vikings, surpassing 4,000 passing yards and throwing 33 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, guiding the team to a 12-4 record and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game. By the end of the season, he was selected for his 11th Pro Bowl. Favre returned to Minnesota in 2010, but the season proved disappointing, leading to his retirement in January 2011. At that time, he held NFL records for passing yards (71,838) and touchdowns (508).

Substance Abuse

During the early stages of his NFL career, Favre developed a dependency on painkillers to manage injuries sustained on the field. Despite a month-long rehabilitation stint, he found himself consuming up to 15 Vicodin pills daily, even while delivering MVP-caliber performances. After experiencing a seizure potentially linked to his Vicodin use, Favre entered the NFL’s substance-abuse program in May 1996. He ultimately overcame his addiction to painkillers, contributing to the Packers’ Super Bowl victory after his return, but continued to struggle with alcohol-related issues, resulting in another rehabilitation period in 1998.

Post-NFL Life: Sqor, Welfare Scandal, and More

Following his retirement, Favre returned to a quieter life in Mississippi. In 2012, he accepted a position as an assistant football coach at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg. He declined an invitation from the St. Louis Rams to return to the NFL in October of the same year. Around this time, Favre publicly acknowledged experiencing memory loss, which he partially attributed to his extensive history of injuries throughout his football career.

Favre, recognized as one of the greatest players in Green Bay Packers history, was honored with induction into the Packers Hall of Fame and a jersey retirement ceremony in 2015. The following year, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In 2013, Favre joined the board of directors for Sqor, a social network designed to connect athletes with fans. However, in late January 2018, it was revealed that he and his partners faced a lawsuit seeking over $16 million from an investor, alleging misrepresentation of Sqor’s social reach and projected income.

Mississippi Welfare Scandal

In May 2020, Favre became embroiled in controversy when reports surfaced regarding the Mississippi Department of Human Services mismanaging nearly $100 million in welfare funds. Notably, $1.1 million of these funds were allocated to Favre for speaking engagements that did not occur. Favre maintained that he was unaware of the funding’s source and had not failed to fulfill any contractual obligations, pledging to repay the full amount.

Personal Life: Wife and Children

Favre married his high school sweetheart, Deanna Tynes, in 1996. The couple, who first met at the age of 14, has two daughters: Brittany, born in February 1989, and Breleigh, born in July 1999. In 2004, Deanna was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy and chemotherapy. She subsequently established the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

Net Worth

As of May 2024, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Brett Favre’s total net worth at approximately $100 million.