Ahman Green Reveals Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis at 49, Opens Up About Symptoms and Life After Football

Former Green Bay Packers star Ahman Green has revealed that he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in January 2025. The NFL legend says he initially kept the news private so he could tell his children and family first. Now, he is speaking publicly about his symptoms, treatment, healthy lifestyle and the determination that has helped him face a new chapter in his life.

Former Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green has spent much of his life dealing with challenges on the football field. He was known for his toughness, speed and ability to keep moving forward even when defenders tried to bring him down.

Now, at 49, Green is facing a very different kind of challenge.

The four-time Pro Bowl running back has revealed that he has been diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition that can affect movement as well as other areas of health and daily life. Green shared the news during an interview with journalist Tyler Dunne on the Go Long podcast. According to Green, his diagnosis came after he spent time trying to understand symptoms that had been troubling him for years.

For Green, making the diagnosis public was not something he wanted to rush.

He first wanted the people closest to him — especially his children and family — to hear the news directly from him. That decision gives an emotional insight into how seriously he approached the moment and how much his family continues to mean to him.

Ahman Green Says He Was Diagnosed in January 2025

Green explained that he had noticed signs that something was not quite right long before doctors confirmed the condition.

One of the symptoms he remembered was movement in his feet and legs while sleeping. At first, it might have seemed like an ordinary sleep-related issue. But over time, Green realized that there could be something more behind it.

He eventually connected with doctors and went through diagnostic testing. The testing ultimately resulted in a Parkinson’s diagnosis in January 2025. 

Green said he had known for some time that something was happening with his body, even before he had an official explanation.

That period of uncertainty can be difficult for anyone. For a former professional athlete who spent years understanding his body at an exceptionally high level, unexplained changes can be particularly frustrating.

But rather than immediately discussing the diagnosis publicly, Green chose to take a more personal approach.

He Told His Children and Family First

Green said he did not publicly share the diagnosis right away because he wanted his children and family to know before anyone else.

He has four daughters and a son, and he wanted to have those conversations privately before speaking with friends, acquaintances or the media.

That decision is understandable. A major medical diagnosis can affect an entire family, and the emotional process of telling loved ones can take time.

For Green, the priority was making sure his children heard the news from their father rather than learning about it from somewhere else.

Only after those conversations did he feel ready to talk publicly.

His decision also highlights something important about health news involving public figures: behind the headlines is a person who still has to process the news emotionally and discuss it with the people closest to them.

Green Has Experienced Several Symptoms

Green has spoken openly about several symptoms he has experienced.

One of the most noticeable issues has involved movement during sleep. He said his legs and feet can twitch while he is asleep.

Interestingly, Green said his wife had noticed the behavior years earlier.

According to Green, his wife told him that she had observed him twitching in his sleep since shortly after he retired from professional football in 2009. 

At the time, neither Green nor his family necessarily knew that those movements could eventually become part of a larger medical picture.

He has also described sleepwalking and talking while asleep. On some occasions, he said he had no memory of what happened afterward.

That can be especially unsettling because the person experiencing it may not even realize it is happening until someone close to them points it out.

Green also discussed another symptom that has become particularly challenging for him: short-term memory problems.

He explained that remembering names and details can now require extra effort. When meeting someone new, he may repeat the person's name or write it down so that he does not forget it.

For someone who spent years performing under pressure and relying on concentration and memory, these changes represent a significant adjustment.

What Is Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that can affect movement, coordination and other aspects of a person’s health.

When Parkinson’s begins before the age of 50, it is generally described as early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Green, who is 49, falls within that age group.

Common symptoms can include tremors, stiffness, slowed movement and problems with balance. However, Parkinson’s does not affect everyone in exactly the same way. Sleep problems, mood changes, fatigue and other non-movement symptoms can also occur. 

The diagnosis is generally based on a clinical evaluation rather than one single definitive test. Doctors consider a person's symptoms, medical history and examination while also working to rule out other possible explanations. 

This is one reason Green’s description of his journey is important. His story shows how symptoms can sometimes be subtle and difficult to understand at first.

It is also important to remember that an individual person's symptoms should not be used as a guide for diagnosing someone else. Anyone experiencing unusual movement, sleep or memory changes should speak with a qualified medical professional.

Green Is Staying Focused on His Health

Despite the diagnosis, Green is not allowing Parkinson’s to define his entire life.

The former NFL star says he is focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That includes regular exercise, nutrition and medication to help manage his symptoms.

This approach is consistent with the broader understanding that Parkinson’s management can involve multiple parts of care.

Depending on the individual, treatment and support can include medication, physical therapy, exercise and other rehabilitation strategies designed to help maintain movement, strength, balance and quality of life. 

Green's background as a professional athlete may also shape the way he approaches physical activity.

For years, training was part of his daily routine. Exercise was not simply something he did for fitness; it was essential to his career.

Now, the purpose is different.

Instead of preparing for an NFL game, he is working to maintain his health and independence while managing a condition that requires long-term attention.

A Football Career Built on Toughness

Green's determination is not new.

He enjoyed a remarkable 12-season NFL career after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He later became one of the most important players in Green Bay Packers history.

Green spent eight seasons with the Packers and two seasons with the Houston Texans, in addition to his time with Seattle. He finished his career with 9,205 rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns. He remains the Packers' all-time leading rusher. 

His best years came in Green Bay, where he developed into one of the NFL's most productive running backs.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, and his 2003 season remains one of the most memorable campaigns in Packers history.

That year, Green recorded an extraordinary workload of 405 regular-season touches, combining rushing attempts and receptions. 

His playing career ended in 2009, but his connection with football and the lessons he learned from the sport have continued.

Today, however, Green is facing a challenge that cannot be solved by simply running harder or training longer.

Green Does Not Blame Football for His Diagnosis

Green's announcement naturally raises questions about whether his football career played a role in his Parkinson’s disease.

The former running back has been careful about making that connection.

He has not directly blamed football for his diagnosis. At the same time, he believes the potential long-term effects of head trauma in football deserve continued attention and discussion. 

That is an important distinction.

A personal diagnosis does not automatically establish the cause of a disease. Parkinson’s has multiple possible risk factors, and researchers continue to study the complicated relationship between genetics, environmental influences and other factors.

Green's comments, however, add his voice to a larger conversation about player safety and the long-term health of athletes.

His experience is also especially notable because another prominent Packers figure, former quarterback Brett Favre, has publicly discussed his own Parkinson’s diagnosis. 

The Mental and Emotional Side of the Diagnosis

A Parkinson’s diagnosis is about much more than physical symptoms.

For someone diagnosed at a relatively young age, it can raise difficult questions about the future, work, family, independence and everyday life.

Green's comments about memory loss demonstrate that the condition can affect parts of life that may not be immediately visible to others.

A person may appear healthy from the outside while privately dealing with symptoms that make ordinary tasks more complicated.

Remembering a new person's name, getting a good night's sleep or waking up without confusion can become things that require additional attention.

That is why awareness matters.

Parkinson's disease is not simply about tremors. It can involve a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms, and every person's experience can be different.

Green's Positive Approach to the Future

Perhaps the most striking part of Green's message is his attitude.

He has acknowledged the seriousness of his diagnosis, but he has also made it clear that he is not giving up.

He continues to work out, pay attention to his nutrition and take medication as part of managing his condition. 

That attitude is familiar to anyone who watched Green during his football career.

His running style was built around determination. He was known for fighting for extra yards and refusing to make life easy for defenders.

Now, the opponent is different.

There is no stadium, no scoreboard and no fourth quarter.

But the same determination remains.

Green's story is a reminder that strength does not always look like running through a defensive line. Sometimes strength is simply accepting difficult news, talking to your family, seeking medical care and continuing to live your life one day at a time.

His Story Could Help Raise Awareness

Green's decision to speak publicly may also help other people recognize the importance of paying attention to changes in their health.

His experience shows that unusual symptoms can sometimes persist for years before a diagnosis is reached.

That does not mean every twitch, sleep disturbance or memory lapse is Parkinson's disease. There can be many explanations for such symptoms.

But persistent or concerning changes deserve appropriate medical attention.

Early-onset Parkinson's can also present unique challenges because people may still be working, raising children or managing other major responsibilities when symptoms begin. Researchers note that early-onset cases can sometimes be diagnosed later because symptoms in younger people may initially be attributed to other causes. 

Green's openness may therefore contribute to a broader conversation about neurological health and the importance of seeking answers when something does not feel right.

A New Chapter for an NFL Legend

Ahman Green spent his professional career running toward the next challenge.

Now he is beginning a different chapter.

His Parkinson's diagnosis is undoubtedly serious, but Green's story is not simply a story about illness. It is also about family, resilience, health and the decision to keep moving forward.

He took time to tell his children and family first. He sought medical answers when he knew something was wrong. He has adopted a health-focused routine and continues to manage his symptoms with professional care.

And now he has chosen to share his story with the public.

That openness could make a difference for people who are experiencing unexplained symptoms themselves or supporting someone living with Parkinson's.

Green's football legacy is already secure. He remains the Green Bay Packers' all-time leading rusher, a four-time Pro Bowler and one of the defining running backs of his generation. 

But his next legacy may be something different.

By speaking honestly about his diagnosis, Green is helping remind people that even the strongest athletes can face health challenges — and that asking for help, listening to your body and leaning on family are signs of strength, not weakness.

For now, Green appears determined to approach this chapter much as he approached his football career: with preparation, courage and a refusal to stop fighting.

The road ahead may be different, but Ahman Green is still moving forward.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Name: Ahman Green

• Age: 49

• Diagnosis: Early-onset Parkinson's disease

• Diagnosis date: January 2025

• NFL career: 12 seasons

• Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans

• Pro Bowls: Four

• Career rushing yards: 9,205

• Career rushing touchdowns: 60

• Packers record: All-time leading rusher

• Reported symptoms: Sleep-related leg and foot twitching, sleepwalking, talking during sleep and short-term memory difficulties

• Current approach: Medication, exercise and attention to nutrition

• Family first: Green waited to publicly discuss his diagnosis until he had spoken with his children and family. 

Final Note

Ahman Green's diagnosis is a deeply personal health matter, and his experience should not be treated as medical advice or as evidence that football caused his condition. Parkinson's disease can affect people differently, and diagnosis and treatment should always be handled by qualified healthcare professionals.

What Green has offered is something more personal: a candid look at what it is like to receive an unexpected diagnosis and continue moving forward.

His football career was defined by the ability to keep going. His next chapter may show that same strength in a very different way.