NASHVILLE — Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has revealed that he is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), saying he hopes sharing his story will raise awareness about the devastating disease and inspire continued research.
Johnson, 40, disclosed his diagnosis Monday during an interview with Michael Strahan on ABC’s Good Morning America. He said he was diagnosed last year after first noticing weakness in his right hand, and the disease has progressed rapidly. Johnson now communicates using a speech-generating device controlled by eye movement.
“I want people to know I am still me,” Johnson said. “ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am.”
Johnson said he decided to make his diagnosis public after watching a physician discuss ALS and experimental treatments on television.
“We hoped it was something else,” Johnson said. “But after thorough testing, they finally came down with a diagnosis of ALS. 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.”
Often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. According to the ALS Association, the disease gradually robs patients of voluntary muscle control and, in its later stages, can leave them completely paralyzed.
“If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research, or gives another family hope,” Johnson said, “it is worth it.”
The announcement comes more than a decade after former Titans linebacker Tim Shaw, who played in Tennessee from 2010 to 2012, was diagnosed with ALS in 2014. Shaw has continued his battle with the disease while becoming an advocate for ALS awareness.
The Titans organization expressed its support for one of the franchise’s most accomplished players.
“Some people leave a mark on an organization that you just can’t put into words,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “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. We are holding him and his family close, and join our fans around the world in expressing our love for Chris.”
Selected by the Titans in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Johnson spent six of his 10 NFL seasons in Tennessee, becoming one of the most dynamic running backs in franchise history.
He rushed for 7,965 yards and 58 touchdowns in 95 games with the Titans and eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark during his remarkable 2009 season. Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards that year while setting an NFL single-season record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage. He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Pro honors.
Johnson finished his NFL career with 9,651 rushing yards, 55 rushing touchdowns, 2,255 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns over 10 seasons.
Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2024, Johnson has remained closely connected to Nashville and the Titans organization since retiring. He has participated in team events, co-hosted the “Smash & Dash” podcast with former teammate LenDale White, mentored young running backs, and recently expressed interest in pursuing a scouting career.
During a 2024 interview with TennesseeTitans.com, Johnson reflected on his years in Tennessee.
“I love Tennessee,” Johnson said. “The city embraced me, the fans loved me. Nashville and Tennessee will always be my second home.”
Today, Johnson says his focus is on fighting the disease while spending as much time as possible with his wife and four children, including his twin sons.
“Honestly, I don’t know if you ever fully process it,” Johnson said. “At first, you are in shock, and then you realize you have two choices: You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.
“ALS has continued to progress much faster than I imagined. I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body. I still think the same, I still dream, I still love my family. My body just doesn’t cooperate.
“Right now there isn’t a cure, but we are seeing more research, more clinical trials, and more promising ideas than ever before. Seeing how hard these doctors and researchers are working gives me hope. As long as they are fighting for people with ALS, I am going to keep fighting, too.”
