Former Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson revealed a shocking diagnosis in a recent interview.
During a conversation with ABC's Good Morning America that aired Monday, the 39-year-old told GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan that he was diagnosed with the disease in 2025.
Johnson stated, "There's no history of ALS in my family," who was using a speech-generating device based on recordings of his voice to speak.”
“My doctors believe my case is what's called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.... That's one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it," he added.
A glimpse into Chris Johnson’s journey
Johnson has played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Titans (2008-13), New York Jets (2014) and Cardinals (2015-17).
He even got the nickname CJ2K after he rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009, which still ranks seventh in NFL history and broke several records for yards from scrimmage that season (2,509) and was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Following the revelation, Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk released a statement on Johnson's diagnosis, mentioning that the former running back's "leadership on the field, in addition to his impact in the locker room and Nashville community have written him permanently into the story of this franchise."
Notably, the Jets also released a message of support for Johnson.
What is ALS?
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological disorder that progresses with time, it attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body.
The disease is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the star baseball player was diagnosed in 1939, with no proper treatment available yet.
ALS symptoms
A person suffering from ALS may experience painless limb weakness or difficulty speaking, which gradually spreads and impacts mobility, difficulty breathing.
Johnson stated, "Honestly, I don't know if you ever fully process it, At first, you're in shock. Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight."
While explaining about his initial symptoms, Johnson told Strahan that he first started noticing symptoms when he had a weaker grip.
"I thought because of football and, you know, his career, that it had to be something with that," his wife, Brittany, told Strahan. "Maybe ... a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS."
Notably, Johnson’s condition continues to aggravate, but he wants to create awareness in people regarding the rapid spread of ALS.
Just over a year ago, I was picking up my 7-year-old daughter so she'd make a wish with her birthday cake. Today, I couldn't do that."
"I want people to know that I'm still me. ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn't changed who I am. People sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you're not still the same person inside. I still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn't cooperate," he stated.
