Chris Johnson, a former running back for the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, disclosed in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he has been diagnosed with ALS. This interview was broadcast on Monday.
Chris Johnson’s ALS diagnosis
Johnson, 39, informed GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan that he received his diagnosis in 2025. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), previously referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurological condition that impacts motor neurons. Motor neurons are the nerve cells located in the brain and spinal cord responsible for regulating voluntary muscle movements and respiration.13 Mar 2026
“There’s no history of ALS in my family,” said Johnson while using a speech-generating device that operated on recordings of his own voice to communicate. “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.”
Chris Johnson’s career
