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Сентябрь
2024

Brett Favre Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis

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NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre made a surprising announcement about his health on Sept. 24, during a congressional testimony, revealing that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. 

Favre was speaking to the U.S. House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee about Prevacus, a company creating a drug called Prevasol used to treat concussions. The company received $2 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds from the Mississippi state government. The Green Bay Packers star was the top investor in the pharmaceutical brand as he sought out funding for the company from state officials in 2018. 

A 2019 Mississippi state audit, however, found that the welfare funds were misused by a number of those awarded the money. Favre was revealed to have been implicated in the case in 2020. This past July, Prevacus' founder Jacob VanLandingham pleaded guilty to wire fraud as he confessed that he used Mississippi welfare money to pay off gambling dues and other debts. 

When speaking to Congress about the situation, Favre admitted that he was misled and went on to confess something about his personal health today.  

"Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others," the Mississippi native said, per ESPN. "And 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 has been sued but not criminally charged in connection with the misuse of Mississippi welfare funds, though he has sued sports media personalities like Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee for defamation related to claims they made about his involvement in the scandal. During the congressional hearing, Favre acknowledged that he returned the funds "no questions asked" and was disappointed upon learning how important TANF is for those in need. 

Favre's announcement comes just a few months after another Super Bowl champion, Bernie Kosar, also revealed his Parkinson's diagnosis