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Former NFL player, 53, publicly discloses Parkinson's diagnosis after hand symptoms

Former NFL player Marshall Faulk, 53, has publicly disclosed a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. He first noticed hand stiffness while golfing and reports rigidity and occasional tremors managed with medication. He says his symptoms have not worsened in about 18 months.

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The essentials

Marshall Faulk, 53, publicly disclosed his Parkinson's diagnosis and says his symptoms have not worsened in about 18 months.

Marshall Faulk, a former NFL player, has publicly disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He is 53 years old and is in his first season as head football coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Faulk said he first noticed hand stiffness while golfing and then sought medical evaluation. The diagnosis followed testing that began after persistent hand symptoms.

Faulk reports hand rigidity and occasional tremors, which are managed with medication. He said his symptoms have not worsened in about 18 months. These details come from Faulk's own account, and no independent medical information about his condition has been reported.

Faulk served as running backs coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders in 2025. He played 12 NFL seasons with the Colts and Rams and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Personal Account

Faulk describes symptoms that began with golf-course hand stiffness

In Faulk's own telling, the first sign was stiffness in his hand while golfing, which led to a medical evaluation, testing, and a diagnosis. He now describes rigidity and occasional tremors, managed with medication, and says his condition has held steady for roughly 18 months. His account centers on how he has lived with the condition since the diagnosis.

Career Context

Diagnosis disclosed while Faulk leads Southern University football program

Faulk's disclosure comes during his first season as head football coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge. His recent career includes a 2025 season as running backs coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders, following 12 NFL seasons with the Colts and Rams and a Hall of Fame induction in 2011. The announcement places a health update alongside an active coaching role.