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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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Former Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson had a prolific NFL career.
He burst onto the scene when he rushed for 1,228 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, and he followed it up with a record-breaking 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns the following year en route to winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
It marked the seventh-most single-season rushing yards in NFL history and it was just the ninth 2,000-yard rushing season the league has ever seen.
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But in the nine years since Johnson has been retired, his health has taken a drastic turn.
The 40-year-old former three-time Pro Bowler revealed during an exclusive interview with Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America” on Monday that he’s been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — a neurodegenerative condition that causes muscle weakness and often leads to the decline of one’s ability to move and speak and ends in paralysis.
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“There's no history of ALS in my family,” Johnson stated via a speech-generating device. “My doctors believe my case is what's called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.
“… That's one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it.”
Johnson admitted he found out he had the disease in 2025. He first noticed warning signs when he started losing grip strength in his right hand. His wife Brittany disclosed that she initially believed the issues with his hand were a result of a violent career in the NFL.
But after learning of his diagnosis, Johnson was inspired to change his perspective on his condition after actor Eric Dane died because of ALS.
“At first, you're in shock,” Johnson said. “Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.”
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