NFL legend Marshall Faulk has revealed that he has been quietly battling Parkinson’s disease for more than a year, sharing the surprising symptoms that led to his diagnosis and explaining why he decided it was finally time to speak publicly about his health.
The 53-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer, who helped lead the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl championship, opened up about his condition during an October 21 appearance on “The Caring Neurologist” podcast with Dr. Sandeep Thakkar.
Faulk revealed that he was diagnosed approximately 18 months ago after noticing something unusual happening with his hand while playing golf.
At first, he dismissed the stiffness as ordinary nerves, especially when attempting difficult putts. But when the same sensation continued during casual rounds, he began to suspect something more serious was happening.
The former NFL superstar brought up the issue during a routine medical appointment, prompting his doctor to recommend additional testing.
That decision ultimately led to his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
For an athlete who spent 12 seasons dominating NFL defenses with his remarkable speed, balance and agility, the news marked an unexpected personal challenge.
But Faulk said he has remained remarkably positive about his condition, particularly because he believes it was discovered early enough to help him manage his symptoms effectively.
The former running back explained that medication has made a noticeable difference in his everyday life.
Although he continues to experience occasional tremors and stiffness in his hands, he said those symptoms have not significantly worsened since his diagnosis.
Faulk also monitors his balance and the way he walks, especially while exercising, to watch for possible changes.
Rather than allowing the diagnosis to dominate his life, he said he has focused on following his treatment plan and maintaining his normal routine.
“I’m functioning. I’m good,” Faulk said, adding that he believes early detection has helped him remain active.
His positive outlook comes as he takes on one of the biggest challenges of his professional career.
Faulk is currently in his first season as head football coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a historically Black university with a proud football tradition.
He accepted the position in November 2025 after serving as a running backs coach under Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado.
Despite his diagnosis, Faulk has continued handling the demanding responsibilities of leading a college football program, from preparing players for games to managing practices and developing young athletes.
He has not indicated that Parkinson’s disease will prevent him from continuing to coach.
The diagnosis also adds a new chapter to one of the most celebrated careers in NFL history.
Born in New Orleans, Faulk became a college football sensation at San Diego State University before the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the second overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft.
He quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players, combining explosive running ability with exceptional talent as a receiver.
After five seasons in Indianapolis, Faulk joined the St. Louis Rams in 1999, becoming a central figure in the team’s legendary “Greatest Show on Turf” offense.
Alongside quarterback Kurt Warner and a remarkable collection of offensive talent, he helped turn the Rams into one of the most exciting teams in football.
The Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV in January 2000, earning Faulk the only championship of his NFL career.
He was named the league’s Most Valuable Player following the 2000 season and earned seven Pro Bowl selections during his career.
By the time he retired, Faulk had accumulated 12,279 rushing yards and 6,875 receiving yards, making him one of the most productive all-around running backs in league history.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Now, the former superstar hopes his newest challenge will encourage others to take their health seriously.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, often causing tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and problems with balance.
The disease develops when certain nerve cells in the brain become damaged or die, reducing the production of dopamine, a chemical involved in coordinating movement.
There is currently no cure, but medications, exercise, rehabilitation and other treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
The progression of Parkinson’s varies considerably from person to person, and a diagnosis does not necessarily mean someone will quickly lose the ability to work or remain physically active.
Faulk said he has chosen to view the condition as something he can learn to live with rather than a reason to abandon his plans.
He also reflected on the examples set by public figures such as boxing legend Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J. Fox, both of whom lived publicly with Parkinson’s disease.
His announcement comes after another former NFL running back, Green Bay Packers legend Ahman Green, disclosed his own Parkinson’s diagnosis earlier this year.
Green, 49, revealed that he was diagnosed in January 2025 after experiencing involuntary movements during sleep and other concerning symptoms.
Although both men spent years playing professional football, neither player’s individual diagnosis establishes that football caused the condition.
Researchers have examined possible connections between repeated head impacts and neurological diseases, but the causes of Parkinson’s are complex and can involve multiple genetic and environmental factors.
For Faulk, the most important lesson from his experience is the value of recognizing changes in the body and seeking medical advice rather than ignoring potential warning signs.
He hopes that speaking openly will encourage others, particularly former athletes and men who might otherwise put off medical appointments, to pay closer attention to their health.