CFB Great Reveals Heartbreaking Health Diagnosis

Ahman Green, a beloved figure in Nebraska football history, reveals a personal battle with early-onset Parkinson's, shedding light on an issue that may resonate deeply within the sports community.

Ahman Green has shared a difficult health update, revealing that he has been diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s.

The Nebraska legend said the diagnosis came last year, and he opened up about it Wednesday during an appearance on the “Go Long” podcast with Tyler Dunne. Green said he had been noticing signs for a while before getting tested, including twitching in his feet while he slept.

“Last year, I got diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's,” the former Nebraska and NFL running back told Dunne. “I had a little bit of the feet twitching when I'm in my sleep and stuff like that.

I knew something was going on long before that. I just got a hold of some doctors that I was able to get in contact with.

Get the diagnostics, get the testing. And finally got it tested last - it was January of 2025.”

Green said he kept the news private at first so he could speak with the people closest to him before making it public.

“ I didn't share it for a long time because I wanted to let my kids know, my family,” Green continued. … “I let them all know first before I told friends, family, somebody like yourself.”

On the podcast, Green said the symptoms may have started more than 10 years ago. He said his wife noticed he had been twitching in his sleep since shortly after he retired from football in 2009. More recently, he said he has also dealt with short-term memory loss, and that the twitching has included walking and talking in his sleep.

Even with the diagnosis, Green said he is staying active and focused on healthy habits. He said he continues to work out and eat well, and he’s trying to keep a positive outlook while also pushing for more awareness around the disease and its possible connection to repeated head trauma from football.

“It needs to be up front,” Green told Dunne. “It needs to be a topic that's always hit.

And it's not the end all. To me, I have a jump ahead of it.

Just like anybody discovering that they have some type of cancer in their body, I'm ahead of it right now.”

Green remains one of the greats in Nebraska history. He helped the Huskers win national titles in 1995 and 1997, and in three seasons he rushed for 3,880 yards on 574 carries with 42 touchdowns. He also averaged 6.76 yards per carry and had 19 100-yard rushing games.

After leaving early for the NFL draft, Green was selected by the Seattle Seahawks, but it was with the Packers that he built his biggest legacy. He was a five-time Pro Bowl pick from 2000 through 2004 and earned one All-Pro nod in eight seasons in Green Bay.

He remains the Packers’ all-time leading rusher with 8,322 yards. Across his career with the Packers, Seahawks and Texans, Green finished with 9,205 rushing yards, 378 receptions, 2,883 receiving yards and 74 total touchdowns from scrimmage.

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