Brett Favre is thanking the public for their support after revealing his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis ahead of a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill.
On Tuesday, September 24, the retired NFL star, 54, shared a message on social media, speaking out after revealing earlier in the day that he now has an incurable disorder.
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“First, I want to thank God for everything he has done in my life,” his tweet began. “Furthermore, thank you to Congress for giving me a platform to debate much-needed TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] reform.”
Brett Favre June 2022
Patrick McDermott/Getty
Favre is currently embroiled in a lawsuit against Mississippi that alleges he and dozens of others took money meant for welfare programs instead of pocketing it for personal use. He denied the allegations and was not criminally charged.
“As you know, I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which has been a difficult ordeal. My wife, family and friends supported me and I want to thank them for being by my side,” he added.
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The former Green Bay Packers quarterback concluded, “To my fans and well-wishers — thank you all for the love.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s is a brain disease that affects a person’s nervous system, causing uncontrolled physical movements such as tremors, as well as slurred speech.
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Brett Favre appears before the House Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill.
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Farve revealed his diagnosis while being questioned by Congress about the Mississippi Department of Human Services’ lawsuit against him, which was filed after Mississippi State Auditor Shad White revealed that roughly $77 million in TANF funds from 2016 to 2019 allegedly went in projects led by the athlete. and others instead to families in need.
“Unfortunately, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough drug for concussions that I thought would help others, and I’m sure you’ll understand why it’s too late for me as I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s,” he said the former football star told lawmakers, according to NBC News, ESPN and Fox News.
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“This is also a cause dear to my heart. Recently, the doctor who runs the company pleaded guilty to taking [public] money for their own needs,” Favre added.
In addition, Favre and former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant are accused of using at least $5 million in funds to build a volleyball stadium at their alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi. His daughter happened to be playing volleyball at school at that time.
PEOPLE previously reported that Favre claims to have repaid the debt. However, according to the state auditor, the retired quarterback still owes $228,000 in interest.
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