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Former NFL Running Back Chris Johnson Announces ALS Diagnosis at Age 39
The former NFL running back disclosed the diagnosis in a Monday interview on ABC's Good Morning America. He described how the disease has already prevented him from lifting his young daughter.
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Chris Johnson announced on June 29, 2026, that he was diagnosed with ALS in 2025 at age 39. The former NFL running back made the disclosure during an interview on ABC's Good Morning America that aired Monday. Johnson first noticed weakness in his right hand and reduced grip strength.
Doctors classified the case as sporadic ALS after tests showed no family history of the disease. He stated that the condition progressed faster than he expected. "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," Johnson said. He used a speech-generating device whose output matches his pre-diagnosis voice. Johnson played 10 NFL seasons from 2008 to 2017 with the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals.
Selected by the Titans with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 draft, he rushed for 2,006 yards and recorded 2,509 yards from scrimmage in 2009. He earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors that season, made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his six seasons with the Titans.
Johnson finished his career with 9,651 rushing yards and 55 rushing touchdowns along with 2,255 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
He is one of nine players to rush for 2,000 or more yards in a single season. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Most patients die within three to five years of symptom onset, though about 10 percent survive 10 years or longer.
Johnson stated he chose to fight the disease rather than give up. ABC reported that Johnson is under the care of neurologist Dr. Merit Cudkowicz at Mass General Brigham and is participating in a clinical trial of an anti-inflammatory therapy in addition to standard medications.
He is married to Brittany Johnson and they have four children, ABC reported. Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk released a statement expressing support for Johnson. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals also released statements of support after the diagnosis was revealed.
