NFL legend Brett Favre reveals heartbreaking reaction to Parkinson's diagnosis and opens up on CTE fears

NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre feared ‘the world was caving in’ after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

And the former Packers quarterback has admitted he is ‘frightened’ about what comes next, including whether he has CTE. 

The 55-year-old revealed the devastating news back in September 2024. Parkinson’s is a ‘degenerative brain condition’ that is ‘best known for causing slowed movements, tremors (and) balance problems.’

‘I have to admit, I thought the world was caving in on me. It was the end of the world – I can’t believe this, not me, I’m healthy, I’m very active, it doesn’t happen to me,’ he told TMZ.

A few months after revealing his diagnosis, the former quarterback – who also played for the Jets, Vikings and Falcons – admitted: ‘There’s always the fear of what happens next – what’s the next step?’

It recently emerged that Frank Wycheck, the former Titans tight end, had CTE when he died. Favre branded the news ‘really frightening’ and said: ‘It makes me wonder what the future brings for me.’

The former Packers quarterback revealed the devastating news back in September 2024

The family of the late Tennessee Titans player Frank Wycheck announced that he had CTE 

He added: ‘I’ve already been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I often wonder – and I try not to but I can’t help it – what the future holds… I’m not surprised… and neither is the public surprised at this point. 

‘I would think that every player that dies from here on out, if they have their brain tested, I’d say a high percentage would (have) CTE and we’re just really scraping the surface of how damaging head trauma can be – concussions, mainly. 

‘And I think people now take it seriously but there is still that “Ah, you know” (view), almost like (it’s) a fad but we know it’s not.’

The 55-year-old is already battling Parkinson’s but Favre said his mindset has changed in the months since he received the crushing diagnosis.

‘Now that the dust has settled, I’m good, the medicine I take manages the symptoms. It does nothing for stopping the disease, there’s always the fear of what happens next, what’s the next step,’ he said. 

‘But I’m trying to live in the present and just make the most of what I’ve got.

‘I’m very thankful, I’m very blessed, I’ve had a wonderful 55 years and have a wonderful family, a great support group. So I can’t complain.