NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk reveals Parkinson’s disease diagnosis appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former NFL MVP Marshall Faulk has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but the Pro Football Hall of Famer is making it clear he is not letting it slow him down.
The Southern University head coach revealed the diagnosis during an appearance on Dr. Sandeep Thakka’s “Caring Neurologist” podcast, according to Toyloy Brown III of The Advocate.
Faulk, 53, said he has been dealing with symptoms for about a year and a half. He first noticed rigidity in his hand after playing golf.
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“The rigidity in my hand, just sometimes after I play a lot or I practice a lot,” Faulk said. “I just thought it was normal nerves when putting and stuff like that.”
His doctor encouraged him to get it checked out, which eventually led to the diagnosis. Faulk said he gets a physical twice a year and described himself as “a little anal” about his health. He also called himself “one of the lucky ones” for catching it early.
Faulk said he still deals with small tremors, but treatment has helped keep things under control.
“Since I’ve started on the medication, I don’t really have a lot of issues,” he said. “I don’t look at it as something that’s terminal. There’s far worse things out there.”
He added that he has not experienced any cognitive decline and does not view the condition as a threat to his livelihood. “It’s something you live with,” Faulk said. “I want to help as many people as I can.”
Faulk is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He starred for the Indianapolis Colts before becoming the centerpiece of the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf,” helping them win Super Bowl XXXIV and earning NFL MVP honors in 2000. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
After spending time on Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado, Faulk was hired as Southern’s head coach last November. The Jaguars are 3-4 in his first season.
His diagnosis also adds to the ongoing conversation about football and long-term health. Parkinson’s is among the conditions covered under the NFL’s concussion settlement for eligible retired players.
Southern is off this weekend before returning to action at Florida A&M on Oct. 31.
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