Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has ALS. The running back revealed his diagnosis during an interview with Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America” on Monday.
Johnson, 40, said he was diagnosed with the disease — also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — last year. His condition has deteriorated since then, with Johnson using a speech-generating device to speak.
FULL INTERVIEW: Former NFL running back Chris Johnson reveals his ALS diagnosis at 39. pic.twitter.com/5Pb8YAQ5x0
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 29, 2026
Johnson, a first-round pick out of East Carolina in 2008, achieved NFL stardom when he became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in season. He also broke Marshall Faulk’s record for yards from scrimmage that season with 2,509, a mark that still stands.
That season gave Johnson his CJ2K nickname, as well as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. His calling card was blazing speed, having tied the NFL Combine 40-yard dash record at 4.24 seconds as a prospect.
Johnson spent the first six seasons of his career with the Titans, logging 1,000 yards every year. He was eventually releasede in 2014 and played four more seasons for the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals.
He announced his retirement in 2018, with 9,651 career rushing yards in 10 seasons. He remains the only player in NFL history with six touchdown runs of more than 80 yards.
Johnson joins an unfortunately long list of former NFL players to be diagnosed with ALS, with Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Steve McMichael dying of the disease last year. Steve Gleason, who announced his diagnosis in 2011, has earned a Congressional Gold Medal for his incredible work contributing to awareness.
This story will be updated.
About the Author
