Former Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson has revealed that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The 40-year-old made the announcement on Monday during an interview with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America.
Diagnosis and Personal Story
Johnson, who received his diagnosis in 2025, said there was no history of ALS in his family. He now uses a speech-generating device based on recordings of his voice to communicate. “There’s no history of ALS in my family,” Johnson explained. “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.”
Record-Breaking NFL Career
Johnson, nicknamed CJ2K, was one of the fastest running backs in NFL history. He played 10 seasons with the Titans (2008-2013), the New York Jets (2013), and the Arizona Cardinals (2015-2017). In 2009, he rushed for 2,006 yards, the seventh-most in a single season in NFL history, and set the league's single-season record for yards from scrimmage with 2,509. That year, he was named the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year.
Support from the Football Community
Titans owner Amy Strunk expressed support on X, stating, “Some people leave a mark on an organization that you just can’t put into words. Chris Johnson is one of those people for us… Learning this news is extremely difficult, and we will support Chris every step of the way throughout his journey.” The Cardinals echoed this sentiment: “The Cardinals join the entire football community in sending strength, love and support to Chris Johnson. We know he will face this latest challenge with the same tenacity and toughness as he has all others.” Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also posted, “Man… Praying for CJ2K.”
Understanding ALS
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It can begin with slurred speech and muscle twitches, eventually affecting the muscles that control movement, speaking, eating, and breathing. There is no cure, but research into new therapies continues.
