Nationwide — Former NFL star Chris Johnson says he has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He said doctors confirmed the condition last year after he began noticing weakness in his right hand during everyday training.
Speaking on Good Morning America, he said he learned about the diagnosis last year at age 39. Doctors believe he has sporadic ALS, the most common form of the disease, with no family history in most cases.
According to ABC News, he first noticed something was wrong when his right hand started feeling weaker. Johnson, who entered the NFL in the first round of the 2008 draft with the Tennessee Titans and rushed for over 11,000 total yards before retiring in 2017, said the change seemed small at first but kept getting worse. His wife, Brittany Johnson, initially believed it was linked to years of football injuries.
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a nerve disease that slowly destroys muscle control. It can lead to loss of movement, speech, swallowing, and breathing ability. There is no cure, though some treatments may slow its progression. Most patients live three to five years after symptoms begin, though some live longer.
Johnson described the diagnosis as a shock. He said his doctor explained that available medication might only slightly extend life expectancy and urged him and his family to prepare for what comes next. He said that moment forced him to face a difficult choice.
“Honestly, I don’t know if you ever fully process it,” he said of the diagnosis. “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.”
Johnson said his perspective shifted after watching a news segment featuring ALS specialist Dr. Merit Cudkowicz and the late actor Eric Dane. After that, he and his wife reached out and became part of her care team. He also joined clinical trials aimed at slowing the disease and contributing to ongoing research.
As ALS progressed, Johnson began using a speech-generating device to communicate. He recorded his voice early in the process so the device still sounds like him. He also shared how quickly the disease has affected his daily life, saying he can no longer lift his young daughter the way he once did.
Despite the changes, Johnson said his wife and children remain his main source of strength. The family is also working to raise awareness and support for ALS research.
“I want people to know that I’m still me. ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am,” he said. “People sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you’re not still the same person inside. I still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn’t cooperate.”