On a routine checkup at the doctors office, NFL icon and former MVP Marshall Faulk mentioned struggles with his hands and received devastating news that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's
Marshall Faulk is the head coach at Southern University, who have a 3-4 record in 2026
Marshall Faulk is the head coach at Southern University, who have a 3-4 record in 2026(Image: Getty Images)
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NFL legend Marshall Faulk revealed was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following a standard visit to a doctor.
Faulk is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, Faulk established himself as one of the best in the game before joining the St. Louis Rams, where he was a core member of the famed Greatest Show on Turf - the team that appeared in two Super Bowls and won it all in 1999.
Named the 2000 NFL MVP, Faulk was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, cementing his status among the greats. However, the current head coach at Southern University tragically confirmed on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
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Parkinson's disease is a condition that causes deterioration in the brain and affects motor skills. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, over one million people in the United States live with the disease - including another former NFL MVP, Brett Favre - and nearly 90,000 are diagnosed each year.
Faulk revealed he has been dealing with the disease for 18 months, and only first noticed something was awry when he struggled with his hands while he played golf. The 53-year-old mentioned it to the doctor during a routine physical, which led to the eventual diagnosis.
“I was like, ‘Wow, is that something?’” Faulk said on an episode of "Caring Neurologist" with Dr. Sandeep Thakkar. “’Is that normal?’
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Marshall Faulk dominated for both the Colts and Rams during his illustrious 12-year career
Marshall Faulk dominated for both the Colts and Rams during his illustrious 12-year career(Image: Getty Images)
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Still, Faulk is in good spirits and considers himself lucky because he received an early diagnosis. He is confident treatment will help him live his life fairly normally; since beginning his treatment plan, Faulk has become more active, is sleeping more, and believes his life is relatively the same as the condition has not worsened.
“The little tremors that I get, you know, they are what they are,” Faulk said. “I just pay attention to my gait, you know, while I walk, when I'm working out, my ability to balance. It's still where it is.
“And the doctor was— he literally was like, ‘You need to go get checked.’”
Faulk hopes to advocate for people to seek help once they begin experiencing symptoms, although he has not yet spoken with friends and family about his diagnosis.
“If it comes a time to where my lifestyle changes, then I will. Then that conversation could be had. I'm functioning. I'm good. You know, I just I think I caught it early. I'm in a good place,” Faulk added.
Faulk became the archetype running back that threatened in the air and ground game. He is one of three NFL players to reach at least 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards - and the sole superstar to amass 12,000 yards rushing and 6,000 yards receiving.