Jets' Aaron Rodgers feels for Brett Favre after Hall of Famer reveals Parkinson's diagnosis
Brett Favre, left, presents the moment of the year award to Aaron Rodgers at the 8th Annual NFL Honors at The Fox Theatre on Feb. 2, 2019, in Atlanta. Credit: Paul Abell/Invision/AP/Paul Abell
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The news of Brett Favre being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease hit Aaron Rodgers hard.
Rodgers spent his first three seasons backing up Favre in Green Bay before taking over as the Packers quarterback in 2008. Favre announced the diagnosis on Tuesday. Rodgers said he feels for Favre and his wife Deanna.
“It’s tough,” Rodgers said. “The older you get, and some of you know this, mortality gets thrown in our face a little bit more. It’s actually unfortunately more normal to hear about a death or a cancer diagnosis or a diagnosis like this and it doesn’t desensitize it for me. I feel bad for him, and Deanna.”
Favre spent 20 years in the NFL, most of them with Green Bay. He played for the Jets in 2008.
Although Favre was an ironman – he started an NFL record 297 consecutive regular-season games - he has been quoted saying he suffered countless concussions. Football players have a higher risk of suffering brain injuries and diseases because of the trauma to the head.
“It is unfortunately part of our game,” said Rodgers, who is in his 20th season. “That’s part of the risk of playing. We all, in the back of our mind, know that could be a reality at some point. We just kind of hope medicine, at some point, can catch up and either make the symptoms easier or eradicate some of these issues that we have.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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