Brett Favre, the NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, became entangled in a controversy involving the misspending of welfare funds in Mississippi, the state where he grew up. The scandal centers on the misuse of federal welfare funds intended for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which is supposed to help low-income families.
According to investigations, millions of dollars meant for welfare were instead directed toward various projects that benefited wealthy individuals. Legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre recently disclosed his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease while testifying at a congressional hearing on welfare misspending and reform on Tuesday.
Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others,” Favre said to the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on reforming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
“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.”
After becoming involved in a $77 million welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi, Favre testified, reading from prepared notes. During his testimony, he discussed Prevacus, a now-defunct concussion drug company where he was the largest outside investor. The company had obtained $2 million from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) fund.
Favre, who played in the NFL for 20 years, has previously been candid about experiencing “thousands” of concussions throughout his football career. Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that affects movement. It happens when certain brain cells stop making enough of a chemical called dopamine, leading to symptoms like shaking, stiffness, slow movement, and trouble with balance. Over time, these symptoms get worse, but treatments can help manage them.
It’s thought that a combination of genetic and environmental factors triggers Parkinson’s in most people; however, no cause has been determined.
Favre has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was unaware the funds were misappropriated. His involvement in the scandal raised questions about the misuse of public money and the accountability of public figures. Several state officials and others involved in the scheme have faced criminal charges, but Favre has not been charged yet. The investigation into the welfare fraud scheme is ongoing, with more revelations expected.