NFL legend and Southern University coach Marshall Faulk revealed he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive central nervous system disorder affecting body movement. Faulk, 53, said he had been suffering from the illness for about 18 months. He first realized something was wrong when he had hand problems while playing golf. He mentioned the problem to his doctor during a routine check-up.
“I thought, ‘Wow, is this something?'” Faulk said on an episode of “Caring Neurologist” with Dr. Sandeep Thakkar. “‘Is this normal?’ And the doctor was… he literally told me, “You need to go get checked out.” » »
Faulk is in good spirits and considers himself lucky to have received the diagnosis early. He said it can be managed through treatment while comparing it to recovering from injuries during his NFL career.
Since receiving treatment, Faulk said he has become more active, is sleeping more and his life is relatively the same. He said that although he still felt stiffness in his hands, his condition had not worsened.
“The little tremors that I feel, you know, they are what they are,” he said. “I just pay attention to my gait, you know, as I walk, as I work out, my ability to balance. It’s always where it is.”
Faulk wants to encourage people to seek help if they have symptoms. Surprisingly, he said he hasn’t had a conversation about his diagnosis with family or friends.
“If there comes a time when my lifestyle changes, I will,” he said. “Then this conversation could happen. I’m functioning. I’m good. You know, I just think I figured it out early. I’m in a good place.”
Faulk was named Southern’s coach on December 1, 2025. He previously served as Deion Sanders’ running backs coach at Colorado.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, Faulk is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time. At San Diego State, he led the FBS for three straight years. He finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 1992 and fourth in voting in 1993.
Faulk was the second overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. He made two Pro Bowls with the Colts before entering another stratosphere after being traded to the Rams in 1999. That season, Faulk helped the Rams win the Super Bowl while becoming the second player to post 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season.
Faulk won the league MVP in 2000 after leading the NFL in touchdowns (18) and yards per carry average (5.4). He helped the Rams return to the Super Bowl in 2001.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Faulk retired after the 2005 season with 12,279 rushing yards, 6,875 receiving yards, 100 rushing touchdowns and 136 total touchdowns. He, Marcus Allen and Tiki Barber are the only players in NFL history with 10,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards.
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