Former NFL star Chris Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis at 39
Former Tennessee Titans star Chris Johnson revealed he has ALS at age 39 in a Good Morning America interview with Michael Strahan. The three-time Pro Bowl running back said he was diagnosed last year and is sharing his story to raise awareness as the disease has already limited his speech and mobility.
Chris Johnson ALS news broke Monday on ABC News after fans speculated about his scheduled GMA sit-down. Johnson told co-anchor Michael Strahan that doctors diagnosed him with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2025. He described the news as a shock that reshaped daily life for him, his wife Brittany, and their four children.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Johnson, 39, confirmed an ALS diagnosis in a Monday GMA interview with Michael Strahan.
- Johnson said weakness in his right hand was his first symptom and the disease has progressed rapidly despite treatment.
- The former Titans star ran more than 11,000 offensive yards in the NFL and retired in 2017.
- Johnson and his wife are pursuing standard care plus experimental treatments and urging more ALS research.
- He now uses a speech-generating device recorded with his own voice after ALS affected his ability to speak.
What did Chris Johnson reveal on Good Morning America?
Johnson said there is no family history of ALS and that his doctors believe he has sporadic ALS, which accounts for the vast majority of cases. "That is one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking," he told Strahan. "It can happen to someone who never expected it."
The interview aired Monday on GMA, capping a weekend of anticipation among Titans fans. Yahoo Sports had reported that ABC confirmed Johnson would sit down with Strahan, though the network had not disclosed the subject beforehand.
How did Chris Johnson first notice ALS symptoms?
Johnson, a first-round pick by Tennessee in 2008, said he was in the prime of his life last year. He was working out daily and spending time with his family when he noticed weakness in his right hand.
"At first, it was little things like my grip did not feel right and I was not as strong as I have always been," he said. His wife initially suspected football-related issues such as a pinched nerve, not ALS. Researchers have studied possible links between ALS and injury or physical activity, but no confirmed cause has been found for most cases.
What is Chris Johnson's NFL legacy?
Before the Chris Johnson ALS announcement, the running back was best known for a historic 2009 season with the Titans. He became the sixth NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards that year and still holds the league record for most all-purpose yards in a single season.
Johnson spent six seasons with Tennessee from 2008 to 2013 and piled up more than 11,000 offensive yards before retiring in 2017. The Titans posted a career highlight reel on YouTube over the weekend, shortly before his GMA appearance.
How is Chris Johnson fighting ALS now?
Johnson said the initial diagnosis felt devastating. A doctor told him medication might extend his life by only a few months and that he and Brittany should get their affairs in order. "At first, you are in shock," he said. "Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight."
After seeing neurologist Dr. Merit on GMA with actor Eric Dane, the Johnsons reached out for more creative care. Chris Johnson is on standard ALS medications and joined a clinical trial targeting inflammation. Even so, the disease progressed quickly. He now relies on a speech-generating device using a recording of his own voice.
"Just over a year ago, I was picking up my 7-year-old daughter so she would make a wish with her birthday cake," he said. "Today, I could not do that." The couple said they are speaking out to push for early detection, better treatments, and more research. For more breaking stories, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
"I want people to know that I am still me," Johnson said. "ALS has changed what my body can do, but it has not changed who I am."