The former Green Bay Packers quarterback revealed his diagnosis as he gave testimony to a congressional committee about the misspending of welfare in Mississippi.

Favre is not facing any criminal charges but has repaid more than $1 million in speaking fees funded by a state welfare programme and had also invested in a biotech firm with connections to the case.

The 54-year-old former sports star explained that he had lost his investment in the company that he thought was developing a "breakthrough concussion drug" to aid others.

Favre said: "As I'm sure you'll understand, while it's too late for me - I've recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's - this is also a cause dear to my heart."

The former quarterback enjoyed a glorious spell with the Green Bay Packers between 1992 and 2007 - winning three straight Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards between 1995 and 1997 and leading the team to the Super Bowl in the last of those years.

Favre also represented the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings during his career and held multiple NFL passing records by the time he retired in 2011.

The star previously described how he suffers from memory loss as a result of taking numerous hits to his head while out on the field.

Favre told NBC News in 2021: "[There's] no telling how many concussions I've had, and what are the repercussions of that, there's no answer.

"I can't remember someone that I played six years with in Green Bay... but the face looks familiar. Those type of issues that make me wonder."