NFL legend Brett Favre announces he has Parkinson's disease

Brett Favre announced on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

The Hall of Famer announced the news during his congressional hearing on federal welfare reform.

“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug that I thought would help others,” said the 54-year-old. “I'm sure you'll understand that while it's too late for me because I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's, this is also a cause that is close to my heart.”

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Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre warms up before the game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at MM Roberts Stadium. Favre played for Southern Miss. (Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports)

Favre recently said he believes he has suffered “thousands” of concussions during his playing career, and back in 2021 he advised parents to keep their children away from tackle football until age 14.

Last month, he even told OutKick that he suffered a head injury during his last NFL game.

During an appearance on the radio show “The Bubba Army” in 2022, Favre talked about how concussions were less penalized at the peak of his career.

“Concussions happen all the time. You get tackled and your head hits the turf, you see flashes of light or ringing in your ears, but you can play – that's a concussion,” he explained.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (No. 4) attempts a pass against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on October 3, 2004. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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Favre was present at the hearing because he was linked to the Mississippi welfare scandal in 2020. No criminal charges have been filed against Favre, but the state of Mississippi is suing 38 individuals or companies to recover $24 million of $77 million. Federal social assistance funds.

Favre, who helped raise money for a University of Southern Mississippi athletic facility, denied knowing that a $5 million grant came from a welfare fund run by the Mississippi Community Education Center's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Favre spent 16 of his 20 NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and played for both the Jets and Vikings after his time in Green Bay.

Former NFL player Brett Favre speaks onstage during day three of SiriusXM’s Super Bowl LIV on January 31, 2020 in Miami. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

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He threw for 71,838 yards and 508 touchdowns, both of which rank fourth all-time. A true gunslinger, his 336 interceptions are also the most of all-time.

Fox News' Chantz Martin and Joe Morgan contributed to this report.

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