Michael Strahan has responded to criticism from media figures who questioned his interview with former NFL running back Chris Johnson concerning Johnson's battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Strahan sat down with Johnson, a 40-year-old former Tennessee Titans star, late last month when Johnson publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis. The interview, which lasted approximately seven minutes, drew criticism for Strahan's perceived failure to press Johnson on research connecting football-related head trauma to the neurodegenerative disease.
During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Strahan defended his interview style, stating that the segment was intended to be "Chris' moment" for him to share his story. "Well you should have got the interview, how about that?" Strahan said, addressing his critics. "That was Chris' moment for Chris to share the story which Chris wanted to share."
Strahan emphasized that his role as an interviewer is to "deliver information" and not to "get a bigger name for myself by putting somebody else in an uncomfortable position." He explained that he was present to "deliver information" and serve Chris Johnson's desire to share his health status, not to make the story about himself.
Studies from institutions like Harvard University and Boston University's CTE Center have indicated a significant correlation between playing in the NFL and an increased risk of developing ALS. Despite acknowledging this ongoing debate, Strahan maintained that his primary obligation was to honor Johnson's trust in opening up about his health.
"The headlines were about Chris, [which] is where they needed to be," Strahan stated. "I did ask Chris about football and how the NFL has been supportive and all those things."
Johnson, the 2009 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, revealed his diagnosis last year at age 39. He has since lost the ability to speak and communicated during the interview using an eye-gaze activated voice machine. Johnson shared that his motivation for disclosing his story was to potentially help others receive earlier diagnoses, inspire more research, or offer hope to other families facing similar circumstances.
