Nebraska football legendary running back Ahman Green revealed on Wednesday that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The surprise and tragic announcement came during an appearance on the "Go Long" podcast with host Tyler Dunne. He told Dunne about his diagnosis as part of a conversation about his post-playing career and healthy lifestyle efforts.
Green said he knew something was going on long before he got diagnosed, as he noticed little warning signs, but eventually got the diagnosis after deciding it was time to find out one way or the other what all the symptoms were pointing to.
"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."
Despite getting the news over a year ago, he waited to go public with it until he had a chance to talk to his close family and friends. Of course, he was under no obligation to go public with it at all. However, he felt his fans and supporters deserved to know the situation.
Nebraska football legend Ahman Green reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis
"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, the Nebraska legend shared that the symptoms of the disease may have started showing up more than a decade ago. Green said that his wife told him he'd been twitching in his sleep since shortly after his retirement from football in 2009. He added that he’s also dealt with some short-term memory loss more recently. His twitching in recent years has also included walking and talking in his sleep.
The former all-world running back said that he’s doing everything he can to keep the condition away, including continuing to work out and eat healthy. He’s also keeping an optimistic approach while also advocating for awareness and prevention. He’s also talked about the potential link to Parkinson’s and repeated head trauma, such as playing football for years.
"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, one of the best running backs in Huskers’ history, also played on some of the best teams to ever be part of the program. He helped NU win the 1995 and 1997 National Titles and in three seasons rushed for 3,880 yards on 574 carries. He averaged 6.76 yards per carry and scored 42 touchdowns, while amassing 19 100-yard rushing games.
Forgoing his senior season, Green entered the draft and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks. However it was with the Packers that the former Nebraska star really made his mark. He was a five-time NFL Pro Bowl selection from 2000 through 2004 and made one All-Pro team in eight total seasons playing in Lambeau Field. The former running back is Green Bay's all-time leading rusher with 8,322 yards. For his career, Green tallied 9,205 rushing yards, 378 catches, 2,883 receiving yards and 74 total touchdowns from scrimmage with the Packers, Seahawks and Texans.
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