NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk Announces Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Southern University football coach Marshall Faulk has revealed that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about a year and a half ago, bringing renewed attention to neurodegenerative risks in football. Faulk disclosed the diagnosis during an appearance on the Caring Neurologist podcast with Dr. Sandeep Thakkar, published Wednesday.

Marshall Faulk Discovers Symptoms While Playing Golf

Faulk, 53, stated that he first noticed signs of the progressive brain disorder while playing golf. During routine putting, he observed hand rigidity that persisted even when he was not actively competing in a match. I just thought it was normal nerves when putting and stuff like that, Faulk said. Because he undergoes physical examinations twice a year, he mentioned the physical changes to his physician during a checkup. His doctor recommended immediate diagnostic evaluations, which led to the Parkinson’s diagnosis.

“I get a physical twice a year,” Faulk said on the podcast, as noted by Yahoo Sports. “I literally asked my doctor because I noticed it as I was playing golf. I noticed the rigidity in my hand after I play a lot or practice a lot.”

Faulk has since begun taking medication to manage the condition. He noted that the treatment helps control his symptoms, though he still experiences occasional tremors and hand rigidity. Since I’ve started on the medication, I don’t really have a lot of issues, Faulk emphasized, noting the importance of early treatment. He emphasized that he maintains his balance, sleep schedule, and walking gait while continuing his coaching duties at Southern University, where he was appointed coach on Dec. 1, 2025, after previously serving on Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado.

Former NFL Players Face Higher Parkinson's Mortality Risk

The diagnosis places Faulk among a documented group of former National Football League players affected by neurodegenerative conditions. A study published earlier this year found that former NFL players face a Parkinson’s mortality risk nearly four times greater than the average person. Other prominent figures from the sport, including Brett Favre, Ahman Green, Bernie Kosar, and the late Muhammad Ali, have faced similar diagnoses. Faulk recalled meeting Ali after his diagnosis, sharing that he sat next to him at a fight night dinner and was heartened when Ali leaned over and whispered, You a bad boy, showing him that he was all there.

Under the terms of the NFL concussion class action settlement, Parkinson’s disease is explicitly designated as a qualifying condition that automatically grants financial settlement eligibility to players who retired prior to the final agreement.

In a public statement released via WAFB, Faulk urged athletes and men to prioritize regular medical checkups and address physical changes early. “Too often, we put our health on the back burner while focusing on our families, careers and responsibilities,” Faulk said in his statement. “We cannot afford to do that.”

Southern University Coach Advocates Early Medical Action

Faulk stated that he has not yet discussed the diagnosis extensively with family and friends, choosing to reserve those conversations for if and when his daily lifestyle changes. For now, he remains focused on his coaching responsibilities with Southern University and intends to use his platform to encourage routine screenings and proactive healthcare among former athletes.

Faulk enjoyed an NFL career after being selected second overall in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, following a collegiate career at San Diego State where he led the FBS in rushing three straight years and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1992 and fourth in 1993. He earned two Pro Bowl selections in Indianapolis before joining the St. Louis Rams in 1999, where he won Super Bowl XXXIV and earned NFL Most Valuable Player honors in 2000 after leading the NFL in touchdown runs with 18 and yards-per-carry average at 5.4. He is a former two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year and three-time first-team All-Pro.

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