New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason is showing his support for former NFL running back Chris Johnson, who revealed this week during an interview with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America that he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2025.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells (motor neurons) in the brain and spinal cord. As the motor neurons deteriorate, the brain gradually loses its ability to communicate with muscles, resulting in weakness, twitching, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
Sadly, Gleason knows that journey all too well. Diagnosed with ALS in 2011, he has spent the past 15 years proving that a diagnosis does not define a person. Through the work of his foundation, Team Gleason, he has dedicated his life to helping people with ALS not only live, but thrive, while also providing hope, advocacy, and vital resources to countless individuals and families affected by the disease.
To date, Team Gleason has provided more than $65 million in support to improve quality of life for people living with ALS through adventure, technology, equipment, and care services, creating a more empowering and meaningful life experience. Gleason’s “No White Flags” philosophy has grown beyond a slogan into a way of life.
Gleason shared that exact sentiment in a message to Johnson via his Twitter/X and Instagram accounts.
“Chris is my NFL brother, but more importantly, he is my fellow human. When ALS enters your life, it is a relentless tsunami. I want Chris and his family to know they are not alone. We are here for him. Every person living with ALS has a story, a family, a purpose, and a future that matters. Chris has spent his life showing strength, speed, and heart. Now he and everyone diagnosed with ALS deserve all of that strength, heart, and urgency returned to them.”
Like Steve Gleason, Johnson said that the disease has already progressed to the point that he needs to use a computerized speech-generating device to communicate as he can no longer speak on his own and is also unable to hold a cup.
“Your mind stays sharp. People sometimes look at a person with a physical disability and assume you’re not still the same person inside.” Johnson said. “I still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn’t cooperate.”
Johnson also noted that there was no prior family history of ALS. “My doctors believe my case is what’s called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen. That’s one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it.”
As Chris Johnson stands strong in his battle against ALS, he has a fellow warrior by his side in Steve Gleason, who for the past 15 years has courageously fought this disease while inspiring hope and supporting countless others as they navigate their own ALS journeys.
Johnson may be just one man, but with Team Gleason on his side, he’s not facing this alone.
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