NFL Legend Marshall Faulk Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis at 53

WHO:

Fox News - Faulk was a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Heavy NFL - Marshall Faulk is a former Rams running back, a Hall of Famer, a Super Bowl champion, and the 2000 NFL MVP.

Heavy NFL - Dr. Sandeep Thakkar hosted the “Caring Neurologist” podcast where Faulk disclosed his diagnosis.

Pro Football Network - Marshall Faulk is the head coach at Southern University.

Daily Mail NFL - Marshall Faulk is 53 and is head coach at Southern University in Louisiana.

WHAT:

therams.com - Lawrence McCutcheon died at age 76 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

therams.com - McCutcheon’s family said he died with family at his bedside and asked that donations in his memory go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research instead of flowers.

therams.com - McCutcheon rushed for 202 yards on 37 carries in the Rams’ 35-23 divisional-round win over the Cardinals, setting franchise postseason records.

therams.com - McCutcheon’s 6,186 career rushing yards with the Rams ranked fourth in franchise history at the time of the article.

therams.com - McCutcheon spent 42 years with the Rams organization and 44 years in the NFL overall.

Fox News - Faulk said, “I want to help as many people as I can,” explaining why he chose to speak publicly about his diagnosis.

Fox News - Faulk said he hopes early detection will give him chances “at living a better quality of life.”

NBC Sports - Faulk said his doctor told him to get checked and have “X, Y and Z done” after he reported hand rigidity.

NBC Sports - Faulk said he might sleep more after starting medication.

NBC Sports - Faulk described Parkinson’s as something he would “get to live with.”

NBC Sports - Faulk said he gets a physical twice a year and described himself as “a little anal about my health.”

NBC Sports - Faulk said medication leaves him with few issues, though he may sleep more; he monitors his gait, walking, workouts, and balance.

NBC Sports - Faulk said, “I don’t look at it as something that’s terminal,” adding, “There’s far worse things out there.”

NBC Sports - Faulk was a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, a three-time first-team All-Pro, and a seven-time Pro Bowler.

NBC Sports - Parkinson’s disease is among the conditions that can automatically qualify a player who retired before the final settlement of the concussion class action for payment.

Fox News - Faulk said medication has limited his symptoms to hand rigidity and that he has also experienced “little tremors.”

Fox News - Faulk said he hoped speaking publicly about his diagnosis would help others: “I want to help as many people as I can.”

Fox News - Faulk said he initially dismissed hand rigidity while golfing as normal nerves, but became concerned when it continued outside competition.

Fox News - Faulk said a dinner with Muhammad Ali, who also had Parkinson’s, shaped his outlook; he recalled thinking, “He’s all there,” and said the diagnosis did not make him think his life was over.

Fox News - Faulk was selected No. 2 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1994 NFL Draft, spent his first five NFL seasons in Indianapolis, and last played in an NFL game in 2005.

Fox News - Faulk was named Southern University’s head coach in November 2025 after serving as Colorado’s running backs coach under Deion Sanders earlier that year; Southern was 3-4 in his debut season.

Heavy NFL - Faulk revealed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Heavy NFL - Faulk said he is “in a good place” after the condition was caught early.

Pro Football Network - Football media voices responded to Faulk’s diagnosis with sorrow and support; the article included the reactions “This Is Heartbreaking” and “Sending Marshall Faulk Good Vibes.”

Daily Mail NFL - Faulk won a Super Bowl and an MVP award.

WHERE:

Fox News - Faulk grew up in New Orleans’ Desire projects, between Gentilly Boulevard and Desire Street.

Fox News - Faulk’s Southern University team played Jackson State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi.

Fox News - Faulk played in the Super Bowl run of the St. Louis Rams during the 1999 season.

Heavy NFL - Faulk disclosed his diagnosis on the “Caring Neurologist” podcast.

Daily Mail NFL - Southern University is in Louisiana.

WHEN:

therams.com - McCutcheon was selected by the Rams in the 1972 NFL Draft, retired from the organization on August 18, 2016, and died on October 23.

Fox News - Faulk spent his first five NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before joining the St. Louis Rams.

Heavy NFL - Faulk was 53 when the article described his diagnosis.

Daily Mail NFL - Faulk spent more than a decade in the NFL.

WHY:

Fox News - Faulk compared living with Parkinson’s to prior health issues, including multiple surgeries on his right knee, parts of which are not original, and occasional back pain.

Heavy NFL - Faulk said the diagnosis was caught early.

HOW:

therams.com - McCutcheon had five consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1973-1977 and rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four of those five seasons.

NBC Sports - Faulk said he had asked his doctor about the hand rigidity he noticed after playing or practicing golf.

Fox News - Faulk said he believed his hand rigidity had not worsened during the year and a half he had been dealing with the disease, crediting his treatment.

Heavy NFL - Faulk shared the diagnosis during a podcast conversation with neurologist Dr. Sandeep Thakkar.

Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk has revealed that he has Parkinson’s disease, saying the condition was caught early and he is “in a good place.” The former NFL MVP shared his diagnosis on neurologist Dr. Sandeep Thakkar’s podcast. Faulk said hand rigidity, first noticed while golfing, prompted him to consult his doctor; medication has limited his symptoms, though he has experienced small tremors. Now head coach at Southern University, Faulk said he hopes speaking openly will help others and that early detection can support a better quality of life. Separately, former Rams running back Lawrence McCutcheon has died at 76 after a long battle with Parkinson’s. His family said he died with loved ones at his bedside and asked that memorial donations go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. McCutcheon spent 42 years with the Rams and set franchise postseason rushing records.