In the hours following Johnson’s emotional interview, messages of support continued to pour in from across the NFL community. Among those reportedly expressing their encouragement were members of the New England Patriots organization, who praised Johnson’s courage, resilience, and determination in facing one of life’s toughest challenges. While rivalries define Sundays on the football field, moments like these remind everyone that the NFL is ultimately one family. The Patriots’ message echoed the sentiments shared throughout the league, wishing Johnson strength, hope, and continued support as he battles ALS alongside his wife, Brittany, and their four children.
Chris Johnson, a former first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans and Pro Bowl running back, revealed he has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Johnson told “Good Morning America” that he was officially diagnosed last year. Johnson is 40 years old.
“There’s no history of ALS in my family,” Johnson told co-anchor Michael Strahan in an interview aired on Monday.” “My doctors believe my case is what’s called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.”
Johnson noted that he was feeling good last year and was working out daily, while spending time with his wife and four children. However, he started to feel weakness in his right hand, and while his wife, Brittany Johnson, thought it could be a football-related injury like a pinched nerve, it was ALS taking shape.
“I first noticed weakness in my right hand,” he said. “At first, it was little things like my grip didn’t feel right and I wasn’t as strong as I’ve always been.”
Johnson said the news of his diagnosis came as a “shock.” He relayed that the doctor who delivered the diagnosis said a medication could extend his life by a few months and that he and his wife should “get our affairs in order.” There is no known cure for ALS.
“Honestly, I don’t know if you ever fully process it,” Johnson said. “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 disease has progressed rapidly for Johnson, who now uses a speech-generating device to communicate. He recorded his voice following his diagnosis so that his device delivers a voice that sounds like his own.
“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 said that he wants to not only raise awareness of ALS, but told “GMA” that he also wants to convey that he is still the same person they remember as a star running back in the NFL, who once rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season.