Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and Southern University coach Marshall Faulk has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Faulk, 53, revealed his diagnosis on a podcast Wednesday, saying that with medication, he is not experiencing "issues" beyond hand rigidity and "little tremors." He said the rigidity has not gotten worse in the year and a half he has been dealing with the disease.
Faulk told Dr. Sandeep Thakkar on the show "The Caring Neurologist" that in discussing his illness, "I want to help as many people as I can." He said he gets physicals twice a year and first noticed rigidity in his hands after playing golf. "I just thought it was normal nerves when putting and stuff like that," he said. A doctor told him he needed to get checked.
Faulk said he does not view the condition as terminal. He recalled a dinner with boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who had Parkinson's, and came away believing, "He's all there." Faulk also pointed to Michael J. Fox, who has managed the disease for decades. "It's something you live with," Faulk said. "It's not to where it's a detriment to your livelihood." He reported no cognitive decline and said he feels "clear of thought."
Faulk played more than 10 seasons in the NFL, first with the Indianapolis Colts and then with the St. Louis Rams, with whom he won a Super Bowl and was named Most Valuable Player. He retired in 2007 after major knee surgery and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He took the head coaching job at Southern in November and has led the team to a 3-4 record this season.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing