Marshall Faulk, the Hall of Fame running back and head coach at Southern University, announced this week that he has been living with Parkinson's disease for approximately 18 months.
Faulk, 53, revealed during an appearance on "The Caring Neurologist" podcast that he was diagnosed after noticing persistent hand rigidity while golfing. His doctor recommended immediate evaluation, leading to medication management and what Faulk described as stabilization of his symptoms.
"I want to help as many people as I can," Faulk told host Dr. Sandeep Thakkar.
Faulk's disclosure comes as medical advances in Parkinson's treatment continue to expand patient options. Interventional neuroradiologist Dr. Bhavya Shah at UT Southwestern Medical Center has been researching focused ultrasound therapy, a non-invasive approach that has shown promise in significantly reducing tremors without traditional surgery. Some patients have reported dramatic improvements in motor control following the procedure.
Faulk drew inspiration from conversations with Muhammad Ali, who lived with Parkinson's for decades while remaining cognitively engaged. "He's all there," Faulk recalled thinking, reframing his diagnosis as a manageable condition rather than life-altering.
Faulk noted that he has undergone multiple surgeries on his right knee throughout his career and deals with chronic back pain. He views Parkinson's as part of a continuum of physical challenges requiring medical attention.
Faulk's willingness to discuss his diagnosis publicly reflects a broader cultural shift around athlete health disclosure. In previous decades, serious medical conditions often remained private. Today, transparency can normalize conditions affecting millions while directing attention toward available treatments.
Faulk took over as Southern's head coach in November 2025 after serving as running backs coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders. The team currently sits at 3-4 this season.
His public discussion of Parkinson's also highlights disparities in healthcare access. While focused ultrasound therapy and advanced medication represent genuine breakthroughs, not all patients have equal access to these innovations.
