Marshall Faulk reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk has revealed he has Parkinson’s disease, telling listeners of “The Caring Neurologist” podcast with Dr Sandeep Thakkar that he has been managing the condition for around 18 months.

The 53-year-old, who is in his first season as head coach of Southern University, said he first noticed hand rigidity while playing golf. When the symptoms persisted during non-competitive rounds, he raised them at a routine physical and was advised to get checked.

“I just think I caught it early. I’m in a good place,” Faulk said. He described “little tremors” but said medication has controlled his symptoms, and that he pays close attention to his gait and balance when exercising. He added that he had not yet had the conversation with friends and family: “If it comes a time to where my lifestyle changes, then I will.”

Faulk said he is going public because he wants to help others: “I want to help as many people as I can.” He urged anyone with possible symptoms to get checked rather than wait, and said he is now doing more than before the diagnosis.

Drafted second overall in 1994, Faulk spent 12 NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams, winning Super Bowl XXXIV and the 2000 NFL MVP award. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, he retired with 12,279 rushing yards, 6,875 receiving yards and 136 total touchdowns, and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. A three-time All-American at San Diego State, he joined the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He was hired as Southern’s head coach last November after a season as an assistant under Deion Sanders at Colorado; Southern are 3-4 this season.

Sources: ESPN (Alex Scarborough, Oct 22); Reuters/Field Level Media — https://www.reuters.com/sports/hall-famer-marshall-faulk-reveals-parkinsons-diagnosis—flm-2026-10-23/; USA Today — https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/10/22/marshall-faulk-parkinsons-disease-rams/92387558007/; Sportsnet — https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/pro-football-hall-of-famer-marshall-faulk-reveals-he-has-parkinsons-disease/