Marshall Faulk reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis, says medication limits symptoms Pro Football Hall of Famer and Southern University head coach Marshall Faulk announced on The Caring Neurologist podcast that he has Parkinson's disease and that medication has kept his symptoms stable. Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he revealed on the podcast The Caring Neurologist. Faulk, 53, told host Dr. Sandeep Thakkar that medication has helped limit his symptoms to hand rigidity. Faulk said he has also experienced little tremors. He said the rigidity has not worsened during the year and a half he has been dealing with the disease, crediting his treatment for keeping it stable. I want to help as many people as I can, Faulk said. He explained that he hopes speaking publicly about his diagnosis will help others facing similar health issues.Marshall Faulk Ignored Early Parkinsons SymptomsFaulk initially dismissed the hand rigidity he felt while golfing as normal nerves. He grew concerned when the problem continued even when he was not competing. I just thought it was normal nerves when putting and stuff like that, he said. But it started to be times where I was playing, but I was not in a match, and it would still do that.And I was like, Wow, is that something, is that normal? And the doctor was, he literally was like, You need to go get checked. Faulk's outlook was shaped in part by a dinner with Muhammad Ali, who also had Parkinson's disease. He left that interaction thinking, He is all there.So, knowing that, I did not look at it like if I got a diagnosis, life was going to end, Faulk said. I treat it like, I have had a bunch of surgeries on my right knee. There are some parts in it that are not mine, that are not original. My back, you know, it hurts every once in a while.Marshall Faulk New Coaching Role at SouthernFaulk is in his first season as Southern University's head coach. He was named to the position in November 2025 after serving as running backs coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders. A photo from Sept. 26, 2026, shows Faulk talking with Southern quarterback Christian Johnson during a game against the Jackson State Tigers at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi. Faulk was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1994 NFL Draft.The standout running back spent his first five NFL seasons in Indianapolis before joining the St. Louis Rams. With the Rams, Faulk played a key role in the team's Super Bowl run during the 1999 season. He was named NFL MVP the following year. On the podcast, Faulk said he wanted to share his experience openly and encourage others.He has been dealing with the disease for about 18 months. Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms can include tremors, stiffness and problems with balance and coordination. An FDA-approved focused ultrasound therapy targets Parkinson's disease symptoms.Focused Ultrasound Therapy Targets Parkinsons TremorsDr. Bhavya Shah, an interventional neuroradiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has described the treatment as revolutionary. The focused ultrasound treatment can eliminate Parkinson's tremors in minutes, according to Dr. Shah. Patient Bud Leavell described going from severe shaking to completely steady hands without invasive surgery. Faulk's announcement adds him to a growing list of athletes and public figures who have spoken openly about neurological conditions and other health challenges.Former NFL star Chris Johnson has said he is dealing with ALS. Deion Sanders, Faulk's former boss at Colorado, has declared he is cancer-free while addressing other health issues. He also has addressed incontinence ahead of the Colorado football season. Faulk said his knee surgeries and occasional back pain have given him a practical view of health problems.He said the Parkinson's diagnosis did not make him believe his life was over. He said he wants to help as many people as he can through his public comments and his continued work as a football coach. Faulk remains in charge of the Southern University football program as he manages his health with medication and ongoing medical care.