Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has written an emotional letter to his four children detailing his ongoing battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Johnson, 40, revealed in the letter, published by The Players' Tribune, that he has been seeking medical advice from neurologists and major ALS clinics across the country.
"I've seen a lot of neurologists at this point and been to basically every major ALS clinic in the country, and in my experience, as soon as you say you played football it's like, 'Ahh, OK.' Almost like an understanding, you know?" Johnson wrote. He noted that former NFL players are four times as likely to develop and die from ALS compared to the average male, prompting him to question a connection between his professional football career and his current health condition.
Despite the diagnosis, Johnson expressed gratitude for his decade-long NFL career, stating, "I wouldn't trade that journey for anything. Football gave your dad a platform. And now, I'm in a position to use it in a way I never expected."
Diagnosis and Progression
Johnson publicly announced his ALS diagnosis on June 29. He confirmed his condition last spring and has since relied on a wheelchair for mobility and a computerized speech-generating device to communicate. He admitted to initial denial about his condition until he lost the ability to speak, noting, "You kinda put a wall up to the changes. You don't see them until it's in your face."
Johnson, one of six players in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, found joy in coaching his sons in football and witnessing their passion for the sport. "I guess what I want to say to y'all is that…. Your football journey is yours. Be fearless, be you, and don't let anyone stand in the way of your dreams," he wrote to his children. He also expressed hope for increased safety in the sport, stating, "The game is a lot safer now than when I was playing. And hopefully it just keeps on getting safer."
Johnson, a first-round pick in 2008, amassed 9,651 career rushing yards and 55 touchdowns. His standout 2009 season saw him record 2,006 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
He concluded his letter with personal messages to each of his children, Lee, CJ, Kaden, and Honey, before signing off with a message of love. Johnson is scheduled to be inducted into the Titans' Ring of Honor during the team's season opener against the New York Jets this Sunday.