Chris Johnson revives Ice Bucket Challenge after ALS reveal
Former NFL running back Chris Johnson is reviving the Ice Bucket Challenge after telling Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan that doctors diagnosed him with ALS in 2025 at age 39. The Tennessee Titans legend went public on Monday, then posted on Instagram two days later asking supporters to dump ice water and help fund ALS research again. His push arrives as Titans fans flood team channels with prayers and donation questions.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Johnson told Michael Strahan on GMA that doctors diagnosed him with sporadic ALS last year at age 39.
- He revived the Ice Bucket Challenge on Instagram, challenging Marshawn Lynch, LenDale White, and Adam "Pacman" Jones.
- Johnson now relies on a speech-generating device but says ALS has changed his body, not who he is.
- Tennessee Titans fans have flooded the team mailbag with prayers and questions about how to donate.
- The Titans shared a fundraising link where supporters can give to ALS research in Johnson's honor.
What Did Chris Johnson Tell Michael Strahan About His Diagnosis?
In an interview that aired Monday on Good Morning America, Johnson told Michael Strahan he received an ALS diagnosis in 2025. The former Tennessee Titans star said there is no family history of the disease and that doctors believe his case is sporadic ALS, which accounts for most cases.
Johnson, who was drafted in the first round in 2008, said he was working out daily with his wife Brittany and four children when he first noticed weakness in his right hand. He described the news as a shock and said a doctor told him medication might extend his life by a few months.
Why Is Chris Johnson Bringing Back the Ice Bucket Challenge?
According to ESPN, Johnson posted on Instagram Wednesday urging supporters to help revive the viral campaign that once united millions around ALS awareness. He credited a supporter's video with reminding him how powerfully the original challenge changed the fight against the progressive nervous system disease.
Johnson challenged former NFL stars Marshawn Lynch, LenDale White, and Adam "Pacman" Jones to participate. ESPN reported he later shared Instagram story posts showing White and others getting doused with ice water as the movement gained momentum.
How Are Titans Fans Responding to Chris Johnson's News?
Tennessee Titans fans have rallied around their former franchise icon. In a celebrity breaking news cycle dominated by health updates, the team's mailbag filled with messages of support after Johnson went public.
One fan called Johnson the most talented Titans running back of all time and said he was heartbroken by the diagnosis. Another asked where to donate, and Titans writer Jim Wyatt directed readers to a Massachusetts General Brigham fundraising page for ALS research in Johnson's honor. A third fan said she was praying for Johnson and his family and suggested the Titans help create a foundation in his name.
What Has Changed for Chris Johnson Since His ALS Diagnosis?
During his Michael Strahan interview, Johnson communicated through a speech-generating device built from recordings of his own voice. ABC News reported the disease has progressed rapidly since his diagnosis, leaving him unable to speak on his own despite being in the prime of his life just a year ago.
Johnson told GMA he wants people to know he remains the same person fans remember from his NFL career. "ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn't changed who I am," he said. His Ice Bucket Challenge push turns that personal fight into a broader call for awareness and research funding.