The Tennessee Titans announced Friday that the Ring of Honor ceremony for former running back Chris Johnson has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Johnson, who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), will be unable to attend the scheduled induction during Sunday's game against the New York Jets.
The team stated that the official induction ceremony will be rescheduled for a future date when Johnson and his family can be present. Sunday's halftime ceremony will still honor Johnson's on-field achievements and legacy.
Johnson, widely known as "CJ2K," revealed his ALS diagnosis in June on "Good Morning America." The former rushing champion, who is now 40, has shared that he uses a wheelchair and an electronic device to speak as the disease progresses.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and other debilitating symptoms. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.
Johnson played six of his 10 NFL seasons with the Titans from 2008 to 2013. He was selected by the franchise with the No. 24 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. In 2009, he rushed for 2,006 yards, becoming one of nine players in NFL history to achieve a single-season rushing total of 2,000 yards or more. That same year, he earned Offensive Player of the Year honors. He concluded his career with 9,561 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns after stints with the Jets and Cardinals.
In a recent letter to his children published in The Players Tribune, Johnson reflected on his career and his ALS diagnosis, noting the higher incidence of the disease among former football players. He expressed his determination to fight the illness, stating, "You guys are my biggest reason I keep fighting."