Marshall Faulk Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis and Treatment Progress

Former NFL star Marshall Faulk has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder, and says early detection and medication have helped him manage its symptoms. The 53-year-old Pro Football Hall of Fame member disclosed his diagnosis on the Caring Neurologist podcast, whose episode was published Wednesday, while continuing his work as head coach at Southern University.

Faulk said he had been living with the condition for about a year and a half before discussing his experience publicly. Although he still experiences hand stiffness and occasional tremors, he reported that his symptoms have not significantly worsened since he began treatment.

Parkinson's disease affects the brain and can cause tremors, rigidity and difficulties with movement and balance. The condition has no known cure, making symptom management and early medical attention important aspects of care.

Faulk said he initially noticed unusual stiffness in his hand while playing golf. Regular physical examinations had made him attentive to changes in his health, prompting him to ask his doctor whether the symptoms were normal.

"I get a physical twice a year. I'm a little anal about my health. 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, I thought it was just normal nerves when putting and stuff like that. But it started to be times where I wasn't playing — I mean, where I was playing, but I wasn't in a match, and it would still do that. 'I was like, 'Wow, is that something? Is that normal?'

And the doctor was like, 'You need to go get checked. You need to go have X, Y and Z done.'" Faulk said.

After beginning medication, Faulk said he experienced relatively few difficulties in his daily life. He continues to monitor his walking, balance and physical abilities while exercising, particularly because stiffness and tremors remain present.

"Since I've started on the medication, I don't really have a lot of issues. I might sleep a little more … Other than that, the rigidity in my hands, I still have that. Can't say that it's gotten worse.

The little tremors that I get, they are what they are. I just pay attention to my gait, how I walk, when I'm working out, my ability to balance. It's still where it is. 'I don't look at it as something that's terminal.

It's like 'Hey, you get to live with this.' There's far worse things out there." Faulk said.

Faulk also reflected on the late Muhammad Ali, whom he met at a dinner associated with a boxing event after Ali had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The encounter helped shape Faulk's perspective on living with a neurological condition.

"I was at one of his dinners at fight night and I sat next to him. He leaned over to me and he whispered, 'You a bad boy.' And then he made a couple other comments.

I was like, 'He's all there.' So knowing that, I didn't look at it like life is going to end. 'I treat it like, I've had a bunch of surgeries on my right knee. There's some parts of it that aren't mine, that aren't original.

My back, it hurts every once in a while. It's something you live with. It's not a detriment to your livelihood.

Now, if you don't take of it, there's an opportunity for that to be [a detriment]. But you do have to take care of it." Faulk said.

Parkinson's disease has affected other former professional football players, including Brett Favre, Ahman Green and Bernie Kosar. A study published earlier in 2026 found that NFL players faced a Parkinson's-related mortality risk nearly four times that of the general population, according to the source report.

Faulk built his legacy with the St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts and was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame for his professional career and college playing days at San Diego State. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections, won the 2000 NFL Most Valuable Player award and captured Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams.

Faulk began his coaching career last season as the running backs coach at Colorado before taking over as head coach at Southern University. The source report listed Southern's record at 1-3 during his first season in the position.