Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Former NFL running back Chris Johnson revealed Monday (June 29) that he has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Johnson, 40, told "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan he was diagnosed last year, speaking through an eye-controlled, speech-generating device. "There's no history of ALS in my family," he said. "My doctors believe my case is what's called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen."
Johnson said he first noticed weakness in his right hand last year while otherwise in good health, training daily and spending time with his wife, Brittany, and their four children. Brittany initially suspected the weakness stemmed from old football injuries. "Maybe a pinched nerve or something along those lines," she said, "but never ALS."
The disease has advanced quickly. "It's continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined," Johnson 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."
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that disrupts communication between nerve cells and muscles, eventually affecting a person's ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. According to the National Institutes of Health, most patients die from respiratory failure within three to five years of symptom onset, though roughly one in ten live ten years or longer.
Johnson said he decided to come forward after watching a "Good Morning America" segment featuring late actor Eric Dane, who died from ALS in February, and his treating neurologist, Dr. Merit Cudkowicz. He has since reached out to Cudkowicz and is participating in a clinical trial.
A first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft out of East Carolina, Johnson rushed for over 2,000 yards in the 2009 season, becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to do so and earning that year's Offensive Player of the Year award. He played for the Titans, Jets, and Cardinals before retiring in 2017, ranking fourth on Tennessee's all-time rushing list.
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk released a statement of support following the announcement. "Chris Johnson is one of those people for us," she said. "Learning this news is extremely difficult, and we will support Chris every step of the way throughout his journey."
Johnson said his family has kept him grounded through the diagnosis, and that he hopes sharing his story leads to earlier diagnoses and more research funding for others. "Honestly, I don't know if you ever fully process it," he 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."
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