Brett Favre insists he is extremely grateful for the support that has poured in following his heartbreaking Parkinson’s revelation on Tuesday.
The Hall of Fame quarterback, 54, revealed he is battling Parkinson’s disease in a shocking health update while speaking at a Congressional hearing on welfare misspending and reform, after he became embroiled in a $77million welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi.
And after his devastating announcement, Favre sent an emotional message to fans thanking them for the love they have shown so far.
‘First, I want to thank God for all He has done in my life,’ he wrote. ‘Next, thanks to Congress for giving me the platform to discuss a much needed TANF reform.
‘As you know, I was recently diagnosed w/ Parkinson’s which has been an ordeal. My wife, family, and friends have been supportive and I want to thank them for being there for me. To my fans and those wishing well — thank you all for the love.’
Brett Favre has sent an emotional message to his family and NFL fans after revealing he is battling Parkinson’s disease
While testifying at the hearing, Favre read from pre-written notes and began speaking about the now-defunct concussion drug company Prevacus, in which he was the top outside investor.
The company had received $2million from the federal Government’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund.
‘Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,’ he said.
‘I’m sure you’ll understand, while 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 – who played in the NFL for 20 years – has previously spoken openly about suffering ‘thousands’ of concussions on the football field.
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, including stiffness, shaking and difficulty with balance.
It is unclear what causes the disease, but scientists believe it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, per the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Not everyone has wished Favre well in the wake of his heartbreaking diagnosis, nevertheless.
Favre made the heartbreaking revelation while speaking in front of Congress on Tuesday
He has previously spoken about suffering ‘thousands’ of concussions during his career
Jennifer Sterger (pictured), who previously accused Favre of harassing her, has taken a brutal swipe at him after hearing the news
The former New York Jets host claimed she received inappropriate messages from him in 2008
Former New York Jets host Jennifer Sterger, who claimed she was harassed by the NFL quarterback in 2008, reacted to the news with a brutal dig on her Instagram story – which included the statements scored by the Chappell Roan song ‘My Kink is Karma’.
‘PSA: Please don’t send me links to it. I’ve seen it. I can read,’ her statement began.
‘I don’t wish bad things on anyone, but I know Karma never forgets an address. Imagine being diagnosed with such a terrible disease and not having the resources to fight it bc some Hall-of-Fame quarterback stole it?
‘Those are the people that need your attention, support, and sympathy. And at least now, his pictures won’t be in focus. Mississippi you deserve better.’
In a second post, Sterger encouraged her followers to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Favre’s revelation that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease isn’t the first time he shared his fears of traumatic brain injuries with the public.
‘I look at it like I probably had thousands of concussions,’ Favre confessed to DailyMail.com in 2018. ‘If a concussion is ringing in the ear, seeing stars, a little dizziness, foggy, fuzzy feeling or whatever, I couldn’t begin to count how many of those I’ve had. Tons.’
Favre was speaking to exclusively to DailyMail.com at the time, in part, to promote Prevacus – a biotech firm he’d invested in to make a drug aimed at preventing and treating concussions.
It was that investment, Favre explained at Tuesday’s congressional hearing, that led him to become entangled in a widespread welfare fraud scheme in Mississippi. The retired NFL legend was never charged in the case and has repaid more than $1 million in ‘no-show’ speaking fees funded by state welfare programs, although he allegedly owes more than $700,000 in interest payments.