Marshall Faulk Reveals Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

Southern University head coach Marshall Faulk revealed he has been dealing with Parkinson's disease for 18 months.

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and current Southern University head coach Marshall Faulk announced during a Wednesday appearance on "The Caring Neurologist" podcast that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The 53-year-old coach, who currently leads a Jaguars team with a 3-4 record this season, stated he has been dealing with the condition for a year and a half. Faulk noted that his symptoms include hand rigidity and minor tremors, but he has experienced no cognitive decline.

Faulk first noticed the symptoms as hand rigidity while playing golf, which prompted a medical consultation. He currently manages the disease with medication and physicals twice per year. The former NFL MVP compared the diagnosis to his history of right knee surgeries and his retirement in 2007, stating he views the condition as something to live with rather than a terminal illness. He cited Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox as examples of individuals who managed the disease for long periods.

Before taking the head coaching position at Southern last November, Faulk served as an assistant coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders. His playing career included more than 10 NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams, a Super Bowl championship, and two All-American selections at San Diego State. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, his first year of eligibility.