CNI News
Pro Football Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg Announces Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
Gregg, a beloved Green Bay Packer known as "Iron Man," being treated at Colorado Neurological Institute
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Messages of Support
If you'd like to send Forrest a message of support, or maybe share a memory, you can do so by e-mail. Forrest is deeply moved by the response he's received to his story and wishes to thank his supporters! |
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Media Inquiries
The Gregg family requests that all media inquiries be directed to Wyatt Hornsby, Director of Marketing & Communications, Colorado Neurological Institute, at 303.357.5442 or by e-mail. Under no circumstances should the family be contacted directly at this time. *Download press release now.
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About Forrest Gregg's Football Career
Forrest Gregg was born on October 18, 1933 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. A member of the Green Bay Packers that won five championships and two Super Bowls in the 1950s and 1960s, Forrest was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He was nicknamed "Iron Man" for playing in a then-record 188 consecutive NFL games. Standing 6'4" and weighing 250 pounds, Gregg was a nine-time pro bowler and a seven-time All Pro, dominating his position (tackle and guard) throughout his brilliant 11-year career. In 2010, he was ranked the 54th greatest player of all time by the NFL Network. Vince Lombardi, who coached those great Packer teams, once described Gregg as "the finest player I ever coached."
Gregg retired from football in 1971, playing his last season with the Dallas Cowboys. He went on to coach for the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Packers. In 1989, his alma mater, Southern Methodist University, hired Gregg as head football coach to help restore and bring integrity back to their program.
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Parkinson's Disease Facts
- In the US alone, 50,000-60,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease are diagnosed each year.
- Today, one million people in the US have Parkinson's. Worldwide, it is estimated that four to six million people suffer from the disease.
- Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder behind Alzheimer's disease.
- Parkinson's is most common later in life, usually around age 60 or older. However, it is not uncommon for younger generations to be diagnosed with PD as well. Some people as young as 40 can be diagnosed with PD.
- Parkinson's has a slow progression over 15-20 years. It is one of the few progressive neurologic disorders in which symptoms can be alleviated for many years with medications. There is no cure for Parkinson's at this time.
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 Forrest Gregg is a football legend—and living with Parkinson's disease. Today, the 78-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer, who was a vital member of the championship Green Bay Packers in the 1950s and 1960s, announced that he has Parkinson's disease. Forrest, who lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Barbara, was diagnosed in September of 2011 at Colorado Neurological Institute, where he is now being treated.
With his diagnosis, Forrest joins the 50,000 to 60,000 Americans who, every year, learn they have Parkinson's disease. A neurodegenerative brain disorder causing tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, impaired balance and other symptoms, Parkinson's disease most often affects people over the age of 50, but can occur much earlier. Treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing the progression of the disease through medication, rehabilitation therapy, exercise, and nutrition. Surgery can be an effective treatment in some cases.
"Throughout the summer, Barbara and I, as well as close friends and family members, knew something was wrong. For example, when I brushed my hair with my right hand, my left hand would tremble. I was also experiencing problems with my gait, my back and muscle stiffness, making it difficult to do the things I love, such as fish and take walks. Concerned, Barbara and I saw my primary care physician, Dr. Patrick A. Miller, in Colorado Springs. Dr. Miller suspected I had a neurological condition and referred me to Colorado Neurological Institute to see Dr. Rajeev Kumar, an expert in Parkinson's disease. After a series of tests and questions, Dr. Kumar diagnosed me with Parkinson's disease," said Forrest.
"With the love and support of Barbara, our family and our dear friends, and through the excellent care I'm receiving at Colorado Neurological Institute, I've begun my journey as one of nearly a million Americans living with Parkinson's disease today. It's important for people to know that Parkinson's is treatable. I'm on medication and also benefiting from rehabilitation therapy and regular exercise. I'm working hard to regain control of my health and get back to what I love—fishing, hiking, staying active and enjoying quality time with Barbara, our son Forrest, Jr., our daughter Karen and their families."
Under Dr. Kumar's leadership, the CNI Movement Disorders Center has been at the forefront of state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments, emerging research and education for over 20 years and is designated a National Parkinson Foundation Care Center and Parkinson Study Group Research Center—key measures of excellence.
As part of Forrest's comprehensive, personalized treatment plan, he has benefited from education about Parkinson's disease and steps he can take to help manage his symptoms and maximize his quality of life, such as remaining physically active and participating in rehabilitation therapy.
"Today, there is great hope in the battle against Parkinson's disease," said Dr. Kumar. "At Colorado Neurological Institute and other leading centers, we are working toward treatments that will fundamentally alter the course of Parkinson's disease by slowing or stopping the progression, thereby helping to prevent disability, improve the long-term prognosis, and enhance the patient's quality of life. We are increasingly seeing the value of non-pharmacologic approaches, including aggressive exercise and physical therapy as well as psychosocial support."
Forrest believes there is hope for himself and others touched by Parkinson's disease and wants to help raise PD education and awareness, specifically when it comes to the importance of remaining physically active and taking control of one's health. And there is hope. Research now under way holds the potential for new and better treatments—and perhaps even a cure.
| We can all help make a difference for the nearly one million Americans who, like Forrest and maybe yourself or a loved one, are affected by Parkinson's disease today—and the tens of thousands who learn they have PD every year. You can help today by supporting the Colorado Neurological Institute, a non-profit organization, through a tax-deductible donation. Your support will go right to work in furthering research, education, rehabilitation and patient navigation services for those affected by not only Parkinson's disease, but also stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, hearing disorders, brain and spinal tumors, neuromuscular disorders and other neurological conditions. Click here, or go to www.givingfirst.org/cni, to give your donation today. Or, feel free to call us TOLL-FREE at 855-INFO-CNI (855.463.6264) if you wish to discuss additional ways to help. |
Information Links
www.TheCNI.org – Colorado Neurological Institute
www.TheCNI.org/movementdisorders - CNI Movement Disorders Center
www.TheCNI.org/rajeevkumar - Information about Rajeev Kumar, MD (including education/training, publications and research)
About Colorado Neurological Institute
The Colorado Neurological Institute was founded in 1988 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving those touched by neurological conditions. CNI arose from a significant community need that we continue to address to this day: Patients with neurological conditions often find that they do not have access to the comprehensive care, support, and resources they need. Today, CNI is the largest, most comprehensive neuroscience center in the Rocky Mountain region, with nearly 50 member physicians specializing in the neurosciences. Located on the campus of Swedish Medical Center, CNI offers programs in nearly every neurological condition, including movement disorders (e.g, Parkinson's disease), brain and spinal tumors, stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, hearing disorders, multiple sclerosis, head pain, neuromuscular disorders, and more. At CNI, patients benefit from clinical research, education, neuro-rehabilitation (speech, occupational and physical therapy), navigation and social work assistance, and other services designed to meet their full range of needs. Visit www.TheCNI.org for more information.
About Colorado Neurological Institute Movement Disorders Center
The Colorado Neurological Institute Movement Disorders Center, under the leadership of Rajeev Kumar, MD, has been at the forefront of state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments, emerging research and education for over 20 years. The center's research includes independent, single-center studies and also participation in NIH-sponsored and pharmaceutical-sponsored multi-center clinical trials. The CNI Movement Disorders Center, designated a National Parkinson Foundation Care Center and Parkinson Study Group Research Center, as well as a Huntington's Disease Society of America National Center of Excellence and Huntington Study Group Research Center, is currently conducting studies for patients with Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dystonia, and atypical Parkinsonian syndromes. The CNI Movement Disorders Center work closely with the CNI NeuroHealth Center, an outpatient rehabilitation clinic where patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders benefit from evidence-based PD exercise programs, as well as speech, occupational and physical therapy services. Visit www.TheCNI.org/movementdisorders for more information.
Media Contact
Wyatt C. Hornsby
Director of Marketing & Communications
Colorado Neurological Institute
303.357.5442 | E-Mail
nickname "Iron Man" for playing in a then-record 188 consecutive NFL games
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