Former NFL star Chris Johnson has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. There is currently no cure.
Johnson, 39, revealed his diagnosis in a Monday interview on Good Morning America, saying there is “no history of ALS in my family.”
“My doctors believe my case is what’s called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen,” he continued. “That’s one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it.”
The three-time Pro Bowl running back, who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2008 and went on to play for the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, first noticed weakness in his right hand last year — something he would later learn was a symptom of ALS.
Both he and his wife, Brittany, thought the weakness stemmed from his decade-long NFL career, during which he ran for over 11,000 total offensive yards before retiring in 2017. ALS didn’t cross either of their minds, they told Michael Strahan.
Still, the ALS diagnosis came as a surprise to both Johnson and his wife.
“Honestly, I don’t know if you ever fully process it,” he said. “At first, you’re in shock. Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.”
Johnson’s particular case of ALS has progressed quickly; he now uses a speech-generating device to talk.
“Just over a year ago, I was picking up my 7-year-old daughter so she’d make a wish with her birthday cake. Today, I couldn’t do that,” he said.
Johnson is the latest public figure to publicly share an ALS diagnosis. 90 Day Fiancé star Jenny Slatten was diagnosed in December, one year after she first experienced symptoms.
“At first, we tried to keep it private because it’s been very emotional and overwhelming for us. We were hoping to find some kind of solution before speaking publicly,” she said in a May statement announcing her health news.
“But after trying for some time, we feel like it’s time to reach out. Thank you so much for all the love and support. Right now, we are open to any kind of help — treatments, clinical trials, lifestyle changes, or anything that could help treat this disease or slow down its progression.”
Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and died in February this year.
