Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre believes he has suffered "hundreds, probably thousands" of concussions over his football life and said if he had a son, he would try to convince him not to play football.
The former Green Bay Packers icon told NBC News' Megyn Kelly on Thursday's TODAY show that while he was only diagnosed with three or four confirmed concussions, he has had the sensation of "getting dinged" on countless occasions.
"When you have ringing of the ears, seeing stars, that is a concussion," Favre said.
"If that is a concussion, I've had hundreds, probably thousands, throughout my career, which is frightening.
"If I had a son myself ... I would really, really, strongly discourage him from playing. And that seems to surprise people when I tell them."
Favre shared his opinions as part of a panel discussion about concussions in sports, along with fellow Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, retired 15-year MLB veteran David Ross and US Women's National Team soccer legend Abby Wambach.
The four former athletes are involved as investors in a company developing a drug, Prevasol, they hope can help in treatment of concussions.
Prevasol has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is still undergoing clinical trials.
