Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Brett Favre, 54, announced at a congressional hearing on Tuesday that he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Other professional athletes like legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and Baseball Hall of Fame member Kirk Gibson have battled the degenerative disease. Here are a few more details.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease affects the movement of the nervous system, causing tremors, slowed movements, and balance problems, among other symptoms. The disease worsens over time and is more common in men over 50.
The cause of the disease is unknown, but according to the Mayo Clinic, genes and environmental factors may increase the risk of Parkinson’s.
There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease. However, medications and even some surgeries can help control patients’ symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Many charities, such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, have donated money to research into a cure.
According to a 2023 study by the Fox Foundation and Boston University, playing soccer may increase the risk of Parkinson’s or related symptoms, even in people who only play at an amateur level. The study also says that the longer someone plays soccer, the greater the risk of Parkinson’s.
According to the Mayo Clinic, football has long been linked to other neurological diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repeated injuries to the head.
