WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been identified with Parkinson’s illness, he informed a congressional committee Tuesday.

Favre made the disclosure as a part of his testimony a couple of welfare misspending scandal in Mississippi. Favre, who doesn’t face felony prices, has repaid simply over $1 million in talking charges funded by a welfare program within the state and was additionally an investor in a biotech firm with ties to the case. The biotech agency has stated it was growing concussion remedies.

The previous soccer star informed the committee that he misplaced his funding within the firm “that I believed was growing a breakthrough concussion drug I believed would assist others.”

“As I’m positive you’ll perceive, whereas it’s too late for me — I’ve just lately been identified with Parkinson’s — that is additionally a trigger pricey to my coronary heart,” Favre stated.

What causes Parkinson’s illness is unknown, and it’s unclear if Favre’s illness is related to his soccer profession or head accidents. He stated in 2022 that he estimates he skilled “1000’s” of concussions in his 20 years within the NFL.

Favre appeared on the Republican-led Home Methods and Means Committee listening to to advocate reform of the federal welfare system to higher stop fraud.

“The challenges my household and I’ve confronted during the last three years—as a result of sure authorities officers in Mississippi failed to guard federal TANF funds from fraud and abuse, and are unjustifiably making an attempt in charge me, these challenges have harm my good identify and are worse than something I confronted in soccer,” Favre stated.

Home Republicans have stated a Mississippi welfare misspending scandal involving Favre and others factors to the necessity for an overhaul within the federal Momentary Help for Needy Households program.

Favre has stated he didn’t know the funds he obtained got here from welfare funds and has famous his charity had supplied hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to poor children in his dwelling state of Mississippi and in Wisconsin, the place he performed most of his profession with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.