Brittany Johnson, wife of former All-Pro running back Chris Johnson, has opened up about the profound challenges of being his full-time caregiver following his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in May 2025. In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, Brittany described the emotional difficulty of watching her husband's condition deteriorate from the incurable disease, which progressively impacts a person's ability to move, speak, and breathe.
"The hardest part is just watching little pieces of him be torn away and just trying to imagine exactly what it is that he’s feeling," Brittany shared. "And then immediately after that, it’s the kids." The couple has an 8-year-old daughter, Honey, and 14-year-old twin sons, Kaden and Chris Jr. Brittany noted the significant changes for their children, who were accustomed to an active family life.
Chris Johnson, 40, now relies on a bypass machine for oxygen and requires assistance to walk and maintain an upright head position. Brittany manages his meals and nutritional supplements. He communicates using an eye-tracking device, which incorporates his recorded voice from before he lost the ability to speak.
Their daily routine involves extensive physical therapy, doctor's appointments, and administering vitamins and trial medications aimed at slowing the disease's progression. Mornings begin at 8 a.m. with assistance for personal care and two hours of stretching to maintain muscle function. Afternoons are often dedicated to physical therapy or massages several times a week, while evenings involve dinner and supporting the twins' football practices.
Despite the hardships, Brittany expressed hope for the future, particularly focusing on the possibility of a medical breakthrough. "I pray every day for a miracle that he could be healed from this," she said. "I don’t try to think about him not being here. I can’t even imagine a life without him being here, especially with the kids being so young."
Neurologist James Wymer provided the official ALS diagnosis at the Moran Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases in Gainesville. Chris Johnson first noticed symptoms of weakness in his right hand, making it difficult to grip weights at the gym. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in a June 2026 interview on "Good Morning America" with Michael Strahan. Johnson retired from the NFL in 2018 after a 10-year career that included three Pro Bowls.
![Chris Johnson and his wife Brittany discuss his diagnosis of ALS on "Good Morning America" with co-anchor Michael Strahan on June 29, 2026.]( "Chris Johnson and his wife Brittany discuss his diagnosis of ALS on "Good Morning America" with co-anchor Michael Strahan on June 29, 2026.")