Former NFL running back Chris Johnson has revealed he has been living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), after first being diagnosed last year at the age of 39.
Speaking with anchor Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America,” the former first-round pick for the Tennessee Titans said he learned he had the progressive neurological disease after noticing unexpected weakness in his right hand.
“At first, it was little things like my grip didn’t feel right and I wasn’t as strong as I’ve always been,” he said in the pre-taped interview alongside his wife, Brittany Johnson.
“I thought because of football and his career that it has to be something with that,” Brittany added. “Maybe a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS.”
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the nervous system in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control and movement.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the motor neurons will gradually deteriorate and then die. There is no cure for ALS, and patients usually have a life expectancy of three to five years after initial diagnosis.
“We hoped it was something else, but after the third testing, they finally came down with a diagnosis of ALS,” he recalled. “They told us about a medication that might extend life by a few months. Then they told us to get our affairs in order. It was hard hearing that.”
Speaking with the assistance of a speech-generating device, Johnson reflected on the shock of receiving the diagnosis, describing how it dramatically altered everyday life in a short period of time.
Johnson said he chose to share his story to raise awareness about ALS and encourage others facing similar circumstances. He hopes his willingness to speak publicly will help increase understanding of the disease and encourage continued investment in research.
“If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research or gives another family hope, then it’s worth it,“ he said. “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.”Selected by Tennessee in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Johnson built a career spanning 10 seasons with the Titans, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before playing his final professional campaign in 2017.
“Some people leave a mark on an organization that you just can’t put into words,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement in response to the news on Monday.
“Chris Johnson is one of those people for us. His 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.
“Learning this news is extremely difficult, and we will support Chris every step of the way throughout his journey,” Strunk continued. “We are holding him and his family close, and join our fans around the world in expressing our love for Chris.”
Appearing in 130 regular-season games, Johnson amassed 9,651 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns while opening his career with six straight 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.
