Ex-NFL Quarterback Suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel is currently suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder. Wuerffel, 37, suffered a viral infection of the stomach in early June 2011, and shortly after began developing neurological symptoms which included loss of sensation in his arms and legs. It has been hypothesized that Wuerffel’s immune system began attacking the nerves in his body which control muscle movement and sensation, mistaking them for the stomach virus. Wuerffel’s wife, Jessica, says that currently his physical strength is 50% less than usual, due to this autoimmune syndrome.
According to the National Institutes of Health, Guillain Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder; that is, the body’s own immune system attacks itself, causing a variety of debilitating symptoms. The exact trigger mechanism for this syndrome is unknown. Guillain Barre usually occurs after a viral infection, often stomach or lung infections. The symptoms of Guillain Barre often appear long after the original viral infection has cleared. The onset of Guillain Barre can be sudden, and the symptoms can worsen rapidly. A person may encounter a variety of symptoms including nerve tingling, muscle weakness, paralysis, muscle pain, difficulty coordinating movement and loss of balance. There is no treatment for the syndrome. Most people recover completely from Guillain Barre syndrome, although for some individuals, the effects can linger for months and years afterward.
Danny Wuerffel, who played college football for the University of Florida, won the Heisman Trophy in 2006. He played NFL football for six seasons, spending three seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Wuerffel also played one season with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Washington Redskins. He last played in the NFL in 2002. Since his retirement from the NFL, Wuerffel, who lives in Decatur, GA, has been the executive director of Desire Street Ministries, a non-profit Christian organization which helps impoverished neighborhoods in New Orleans. According to Desire Street board chair Luder Whitlock, Wuerffel’s GBS symptoms were caught early, and his physician expects him to make a complete recovery. Periodic updates on Danny Wuerffel’s progress will be made on Desire Street’s website, or on their Facebook page.
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