Former NFL Star Chris Johnson Battles ALS After Shocking Diagnosis

Chris Johnson, a celebrated former running back in the National Football League, recently disclosed his diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The 40-year-old, known for his formidable tenure with the Tennessee Titans and a stint with the New York Jets, shared this challenging news during his appearance on “Good Morning America.”

Speaking with Michael Strahan, Johnson expressed his astonishment, stating, “There’s no history of ALS in my family.” He further explained that medical professionals believe his condition is 'sporadic ALS,' which accounts for the vast majority of cases. Johnson remarked, “That’s one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it.”

When probed about how he's processing the diagnosis, Johnson admitted, “Honestly, I don’t know if you ever fully process it.” He elaborated on the initial shock, followed by a stark realization: “Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.”

The onset of the disease became apparent to Johnson during family time with his wife, Brittany Johnson, and their four children, when he noticed a distinct weakness in his right hand. He described the early signs as subtle: “At first, it was little things like my grip didn’t feel right, and I wasn’t as strong as I’ve always been.”

His family initially suspected the issues were linked to his extensive football career, which began with his first-round draft in 2008 and spanned a decade in the NFL after years of playing throughout his youth. Brittany Johnson told Strahan, “I thought because of football and, you know, his career, that it had to be something with that. Maybe… a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS.”

ALS, also recognized as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, typically carries a life expectancy of three to five years, though approximately 10 percent of those diagnosed live for a decade or longer. In response to this prognosis, Chris and Brittany Johnson have opted to pursue experimental treatments, hoping to contribute to the advancement of new therapeutic options for patients.

Johnson lamented the rapid progression of the illness, stating, “It’s continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined. I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body.” He provided a poignant example: “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.”

During his illustrious career, Johnson spent his initial six seasons with the Titans, where he earned the Offensive Player of the Year title in 2009. That season, he impressively rushed for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns, complemented by 50 catches for 503 yards and two additional scores. The three-time Pro Bowler later played a season with the Jets in 2014 and concluded his NFL journey with three seasons as a Cardinal, accumulating a career total of 9,651 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns.