It’s shocking and heartbreaking. It’s a tragic medical condition. Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson no longer looks like himself. He’s been robbed of that by a disease that’s gradually taking him away, a disturbing update for a player who is one of nine to have a 2,000-yard rushing season.
Johnson has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and can no longer speak. His condition was revealed on Good Morning America this week, with former New York Giant and Hall of Famer Michael Strahan interviewing Johnson and his wife, with whom he has four children. He was diagnosed with the illness in 2025 (via ESPN):
Former star RB Chris Johnson reveals on @GMA that he has ALS. pic.twitter.com/m54EPKqI33
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 29, 2026
Titans owner with statement on @ChrisJohnson28's ALS diagnosis pic.twitter.com/mxkUYJjyg0
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) June 29, 2026
"There's no history of ALS in my family," said Johnson, who was using a speech-generating device based on recordings of his voice to speak. "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."
Johnson played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Titans (2008-13), New York Jets (2014) and Cardinals (2015-17). He earned the nickname CJ2K after he rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009, which still ranks seventh for a season in NFL history. He broke the NFL's single-season record for yards from scrimmage that season (2,509) and was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
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In a later post on his Instagram account, Johnson acknowledged the unknown about how he developed the disease and referenced the research that has linked repetitive head trauma to ALS.
"I hope the NFL steps up, invests in research and continues working to protect players -- both now and for generations to come," Johnson said. "Together, we can push toward better treatments and, one day, a cure."
Johnson, who is taking part in a clinical trial as part of his treatment, told Strahan that he first started noticing symptoms when he had a weaker grip. Now, he can't hold a cup or speak on his own.
"I thought because of football and, you know, his career, that it had to be something with that," his wife, Brittany, told Strahan. "Maybe ... a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS."
Johnson added that his family is what drives him to keep fighting.
