Former NFL RB Chris Johnson discusses ALS diagnosis
ESPN News Services
Former Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" that aired Monday.
Johnson, 40, told GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan that he was diagnosed with the disease in 2025.
"There's no history of ALS in my family," said Johnson, 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."
Johnson played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Titans (2008-13), New York Jets (2014) and Cardinals (2015-17). He earned the nickname CJ2K after he rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009, which still ranks seventh for a season in NFL history. He broke the NFL's single-season record for yards from scrimmage that season (2,509) and was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk released a statement on Johnson's diagnosis, noting 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." Strunk said the Titans would support Johnson throughout his journey.
The Cardinals said in a social media post that they are "sending strength, love and support" to Johnson. The Jets and NFL Players Association also released messages of support for Johnson.
ALS, which is an acronym for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative condition that affects nerve cell communication with muscles throughout the body. The disease leads to muscle weakness and can cause deterioration of the ability to move, speak and breathe.
"Honestly, I don't know if you ever fully process it," he said of the diagnosis. "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."
Tim Shaw, who had a six-year career as a linebacker in the NFL and was a teammate of Johnson's with the Titans from 2010 to 2012, was diagnosed with ALS in 2014 at age 30 and is still alive.
According to scientific research by Boston University's CTE Center, the results of which were released in 2021, pro football players are four times more likely to develop and die from ALS than the adult male population. At the time, the center said it couldn't determine why the rate was higher for those athletes but suggested that repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injuries might play a role.
In a later post on his Instagram account, Johnson acknowledged the unknown about how he developed the disease and referenced the research that has linked repetitive head trauma to ALS.
"I hope the NFL steps up, invests in research and continues working to protect players -- both now and for generations to come," Johnson said. "Together, we can push toward better treatments and, one day, a cure."
Johnson, who is taking part in a clinical trial as part of his treatment, told Strahan that he first started noticing symptoms when he had a weaker grip. Now, he can't hold a cup or speak on his own.
"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."
Chris Johnson said: "It's continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined. I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body. 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."
After starting his career with six straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards rushing in Tennessee, Johnson never matched that success, in part due to a string of injuries.
Johnson said he was going public with his diagnosis to raise awareness but also to let people know that he is the same person from his NFL career.
"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," he said. "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."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.