Former Titans Running Back Chris Johnson has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive, fatal neurological disorder. It attacks the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscles to weaken, twitch, and eventually erode. Ultimately, this leads to paralysis and respiratory failure.



Former Titans Running Back Chris Johnson Reveals ALS Diagnosis

(By Xavier Board)

https://www.tennessean.com/story/spo...s/90735318007/



Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson announced that he was diagnosed in 2025 with a fatal nervous system disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, during a June 29 interview with ABC's "Good Morning America."

“I first noticed weakness in my right hand,” Johnson said, using his eyes to talk through a speech-operating device. “At first, it was little things like my grip didn’t feel right and I wasn’t as strong as I’ve always been.”

Johnson, 40, said that it was something that he didn't expect.

“There’s no history of ALS in my family,” he said. “My doctors believe my case is what’s called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.”

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said that the organization will continue to support Johnson, and encourages fans to express their love for the Tennessee legend.

"Some people leave a mark on an organization that you just can't put into words," Strunk said in a statement via the Titans' X account. "Chris Johnson is one of those people for us. His leadership on the field, in addition to his impact in the locker room and Nashville community have written him permanently into the story of this franchise."

Titans star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said that he heard the news from an associate while hosting his "Golf For a Reason" charity golf tournament.

"We are behind him," Simmons said in an interview with WKRN-TV Nashville. "Whatever I can do, and I'm sure that whatever the Titans organization can do to support and help Chris, we want him to know that we're standing behind him, and that we will fight this with him."

Johnson is the 2nd former Titans player to publicly announce an ALS diagnosis.

Linebacker Tim Shaw revealed in a 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge video that he had been diagnosed with the disease at age 30. Shaw played 3 seasons with Tennessee from 2010 through 2012, and has since become an advocate for ALS awareness and support.


What is ALS ???


ALS is a progressive nervous system disease where a person's brain loses connection with their muscles, slowly taking away their ability to talk, walk, eat, and breathe, according to the ALS Association. It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

There is no active cure for the disease.

The ALS Association said that nearly 90% of ALS cases occur without a known family history of the disease, while roughly 5% to 10% are inherited.


When Did Chris Jonson Play for the Titans ???


The Titans selected Johnson with the No. 24 pick of the 2008 NFL Draft out of East Carolina University. He played 6 seasons with Tennessee from 2008 through 2013.

Johnson rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his 6 seasons with the Titans. His best season came in 2009 when he rushed for 2006 yards, becoming the 6th player in NFL history to pass the 2,000-mark. He also broke Marshall Faulks all-time NFL record for yards-from-scrimmage in a single season, tallying a combined 2,509 yards rushing and receiving.

Johnson finished his Titans career with 7,965 rushing yards and 50 rushing TD's, ranked 2nd in franchise history behind former Titans legend Eddie George. Johnson earned 3 Pro Bowl selections (2008, 2009, and 2010), and won the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year in 2009.

He holds the record for total scrimmage yards by a player in a single season, recording over 2509 yards in 2009.

Johnson was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

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