Drew Brees takes ALS Ice Bucket Challenge for former Cards star
Drew Brees accepted Steve Gleason's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of former Cardinals and Titans running back Chris Johnson, whose 2025 diagnosis has relaunched the viral fundraiser. The Hall of Fame quarterback pledged a donation to Vanderbilt ALS Research Center, joining Saints teammates and NFL fans in renewed awareness efforts.
Key Takeaways
- Drew Brees accepted Steve Gleason's challenge and pledged a donation to Vanderbilt ALS Research Center in Chris Johnson's honor.
- Former Cardinals star Chris Johnson revealed his ALS diagnosis in summer 2026, sparking a nationwide Ice Bucket Challenge revival.
- The original mid-2010s campaign raised $115 million globally, though ALS remains terminal with no cure.
- Saints quarterback Tyler Shough and other NFL figures have joined the renewed wave of participation.
Why is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge back in 2026?
The viral sensation that flooded social media more than a decade ago is making a major comeback. NFL fans and players are leading the charge after former Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis earlier in 2026.
Johnson, best known for his prolific career with the Tennessee Titans under the nickname CJ2K, was diagnosed with ALS in 2025. His announcement has reunited the NFL community around a cause that once generated hundreds of millions of dollars in global donations.
How did Drew Brees respond to Steve Gleason's challenge?
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees answered the call from franchise legend Steve Gleason, who participated in the challenge in July before nominating Brees and several others. In a video posted to his official Instagram account, Brees accepted before ice water was poured over him.
"All right, I got challenged by Steve Gleason to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of Chris Johnson," Brees said. "I accept that challenge. I'm also going to make a donation to the Vanderbilt ALS Research Center in your honor, Chris. God bless you. We're all with you. We're all thinking about you and praying for you."
Current Saints quarterback Tyler Shough also took part quickly, passing the challenge to teammates Juwan Johnson and Cam Jordan, as well as head coach Kellen Moore.
What impact did the original challenge have on ALS research?
The original Ice Bucket Challenge increased public awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It raised $115 million for research, according to reporting on the Arizona revival. Unfortunately, there is still no cure, and ALS remains a terminal condition with an average life expectancy of two to five years.
Taryn Norley, president and CEO of ALS Arizona, noted that public understanding has grown significantly since the first wave. "Before we had to really tell people— this is ALS, you maybe know it as Lou Gehrig's disease," Norley said. Researchers are now seeing more treatment options, fueling hope that renewed fundraising could accelerate progress.
Doug Clough, diagnosed with ALS in 2014 during the original challenge, said the first wave brought immediate hope. "Because now it's getting attention. Now there's money being raised for it. And different organizations were uniting," he told reporters. He welcomed Johnson's role in reigniting the movement.
What does the Arizona connection mean for ALS awareness?
Johnson's ties to the Arizona Cardinals have made the revival especially resonant in the Phoenix area, where local advocates are rallying support. The renewed campaign may not replicate the financial impact of 2014, but participants say the visibility alone matters for families facing the disease today.
For more on how technology and innovation intersect with health breakthroughs, explore our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage. Full details on Brees's participation are available via Saints Wire.