Marshall Faulk Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease

NFL legend Marshall Faulk has announced his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease at the age of 53. The Hall of Famer revealed the news this week on the podcast “Caring Neurologist with Dr. Sandeep Thakkar,” stating that doctors detected the progressive nervous system disorder early, allowing him to remain in a “good place.”

Faulk has been managing the disease, which affects the body's movement, for approximately 18 months. He first noticed symptoms while playing golf, leading to a doctor's visit where the diagnosis was confirmed.

While Faulk’s daily life has not been significantly altered, he experiences some rigidity in his hands and remains mindful of his gait, balance, and coordination during workouts. He described himself as “one of the lucky ones” due to the early detection.

Faulk compared managing Parkinson's to recovering from an injury, drawing parallels to his NFL career. He expressed a desire to become an advocate for individuals experiencing Parkinson's symptoms and seeking medical attention.

He has not yet extensively discussed his diagnosis with his family, stating he will do so if his lifestyle changes. Faulk is currently functioning well and believes his proactive approach has put him in a favorable position.

Faulk became the head coach at Southern University on December 1, 2025, after a stint as running backs coach at Colorado. He played 12 seasons in the NFL after being selected second overall by the Colts in the 1994 NFL Draft. During his career, he amassed 12,279 rushing yards, 6,875 receiving yards, and 136 total touchdowns. He was traded to the Rams in 1999, contributing to their Super Bowl victory as part of the "Greatest Show on Turf." A three-time All-Pro, Faulk was named the NFL MVP in 2000.