NFL record holder Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis
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- Chris Johnson, a former Tennessee Titans running back, revealed he was diagnosed with ALS at age 39 and has shared his story publicly to raise awareness about the disease.
- Johnson first noticed symptoms as weakness in his right hand and diminished grip strength, despite having no family history of ALS.
- Johnson set an NFL record with 2,509 scrimmage yards in 2009 while also leading the league in rushing with 2,006 yards, earning offensive player of the year honors and three Pro Bowl selections across a 10-year career that included stints with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals.
- Johnson connected with Dr. Merit Cudkowicz after watching her interview with actor Eric Dane, who died in February less than a year after publicly disclosing his own ALS diagnosis.
- Johnson, now 40, uses a speech-generating device to communicate and says he cannot hold a cup despite being diagnosed relatively early and participating in multiple experimental treatments.
- ALS is the most common form of motor neurone disease — a progressive, incurable condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the NHS.
Why it matters: For an athlete whose career was defined by physical dominance — 2,006 rushing yards in a single season — Johnson's account of losing grip strength and now relying on a speech-generating device within roughly a year of diagnosis shows how quickly ALS can progress even with early detection and aggressive experimental treatment, strengthening his case for more research funding.
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