Former NFL running back Chris Johnson revealed Monday that he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) last year. Johnson, 40, shared the news during an appearance on "Good Morning America."
Johnson, who played for the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals during his 10-year NFL career, stated that there is no family history of ALS. Doctors have indicated his case is likely sporadic, meaning it occurred randomly and not due to a genetic predisposition.
"There’s no history of ALS in my family," Johnson said in the interview. "My doctors believe my case is what’s called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen."
He described the initial shock of the diagnosis and his subsequent decision to confront the disease with a fighting spirit. "At first, you’re in shock. Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight."
The symptoms began subtly, with Johnson noticing a decrease in the strength of 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 recalled.
His wife, Brittany Johnson, initially believed his symptoms might be related to his demanding football career, perhaps a pinched nerve. "I thought because of football and, you know, his career, that it had to be something with that. Maybe … a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS," she told "Good Morning America."
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The average life expectancy for those diagnosed is typically three to five years, with approximately 10 percent surviving for a decade or more.
Johnson shared the rapid progression of his illness, noting the stark difference in his physical capabilities over a little more than a year. "It’s continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined. I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body," he said. "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 was a standout player in the NFL. Drafted in the first round in 2008, he played for the Titans for six seasons, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2009 after rushing for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also recorded 50 receptions for 503 yards and two touchdowns that season. He played one year with the Jets in 2014 and finished his career with the Cardinals over three seasons, accumulating 9,651 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns in total.
Despite the physical challenges ALS presents, Johnson emphasized that his internal self remains unchanged. "People sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you’re not still the same person inside," he said. "I still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn’t cooperate."
Johnson and his wife plan to pursue experimental treatments to contribute to advancing clinical trials for new ALS therapies.