Brett Favre reveals he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease

Former NFL star quarterback Brett Favre revealed during a congressional hearing on Tuesday that he had "recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's" — a neurodegenerative disease.

Favre, 54, was speaking to the House Ways and Means Committee about Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company whose founder has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

"Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others," Favre said. "I'm sure you'll understand, while it's too late for me because I've recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's, this is also a cause dear to my heart."

The company and its investors — including Favre — have been tied up in a sprawling welfare fraud case in which Mississippi money earmarked for needy families was allegedly misused.

Favre has not been charged, but he was named in a civil lawsuit alleging that he used his connections in Mississippi to help fund the company.

At the time, Favre's attorney told Business Insider that the football legend had no idea that part of the money was coming from a fund for welfare payments.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.