The franchise’s all-time rushing king redefined backfield excellence for the Green Bay Packers. Now, the legendary playmaker faces a new challenge after revealing his recent diagnosis with Parkinson's disease.
Ahman Green is criminally underrated in the annals of Green Bay Packers' history.
The numbers suggest a different story, but it seems like, despite what they say, Green is hardly mentioned alongside the greats that have worn green and gold.
Recent history is dominated by Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre and Reggie White, of course. Way back in history is focused on names like Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Don Hutson and Bart Starr.
And yet, a look at the numbers suggests that Green deserves his place in the pantheon of great Packers.
He is the franchise's leader in rushing yards (8,322) and single season rushing yards (he rushed for 1,883 in 2003). He's second all-time in rushing touchdowns with 54. Only the great Jim Taylor is ahead of Green.
Green also owns the franchise record for rushing yards in a game. He ran for 218 yards against the Denver Broncos in late December of 2003. He broke his own record in that game, as weeks before that he set the record by rushing for 192 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This is legendary stuff, and Green is undoubtedly a legendary player for the Packers.
Sadly, the running back from Omaha, Nebraska revealed recently on the "Go Long with Tyler Dunne" podcast that he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 49.
"I had a little bit of the feet twitching when I'm in my sleep and stuff like that," Green said (h/t ESPN). "I mean, I knew something was going on long before that. I just got a hold of some doctors [and] was able to get in contact with and get the diagnostics, get the testing and finally got it tested."
Green is the second player from his era of Packers football who has publicly announced a Parkinson's diagnosis. The other is Favre, who revealed his diagnosis in 2024.
December 3, 2006; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback (4) Brett Favre hands off to running back (30) Ahman Green during the third quarter against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Jeff Hanisch,For Green, discussing this diagnosis is important because he feels it has to be something that can be openly talked about amongst former NFL players.
"It needs to be upfront," Green said. "It needs to be a topic that's always hit."
The good news for Green is that he is facing this head-on, and he believes there are things he can control when it comes to the disease.
"I got the reins," Green said. "I'm in control. I'm not going to let this control me. There is some medicines that I've been taking from the doctor's side of it, so I made sure [to stay] on my protocol there but on my side, the food is my medicine."
Green was a first-team All-Big 12 player for the Nebraska Cornhuskers before being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL from 1998 through 2009 and then played one season in the UFL and another int he Canadian Football League before hanging up his cleats in 2011.
He was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Packers and is a member of the Packers' Hall of Fame.
