How many concussions did Brett Favre suffer as an NFL quarterback?

Brett Favre revealed today in a speech to Congress that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The 54-year-old NFL Hall of Famer, who played 20 seasons of American football, has previously spoken about the numerous concussions he suffered during his career.

Parkinson’s disease typically causes symptoms such as tremors in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head, as well as muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coordination.

Favre on concussions: ‘I’ve had hundreds, maybe thousands’

He shared that he had also lost an investment in a company he believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug, which he had hoped would benefit others. “Sadly, it’s too late for me, as I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, but this remains a cause close to my heart,” he said.

It was back in an interview held in 2018 when FAvre was asked how many concussions he had suffered in his career. The answer came back that he knows of only “three or four” but believes he could have suffered more than 1,000 concussions during his double decade-long NFL career.

“That I know of, three or four maybe. But as we’re learning about concussions, there’s a term that is often used in football -- and maybe in other sports -- that I got ‘dinged.’ As Dr. [Bennet] Omalu, who was portrayed by Will Smith in the movie ‘Concussion’ has said, ‘Dinged is a concussion”, he told NBC.

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“When you have ringing of the ears, seeing stars, that’s a concussion,” Favre told the “Today” show. “And if that is a concussion, I’ve had hundreds, maybe thousands, throughout my career, which is frightening.”

Favre’s illustrious football career spanned multiple teams, starting with the Atlanta Falcons, followed by the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings. Favre recently appeared in court over his business, Favre Enterprises, receiving funds in 2017 and 2018 of $500,000 and $600,000.