{"id":3256,"date":"2026-06-29T13:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T13:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3256"},"modified":"2026-06-29T13:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T13:40:09","slug":"ex-nfl-star-chris-johnson-reveals-shocking-als-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3256","title":{"rendered":"Ex-NFL star Chris Johnson reveals ‘shocking’ ALS diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Former NFL star Chris Johnson shockingly revealed Monday that he was diagnosed with ALS last year when he was 39 years old. <\/p>\n

Read more Exclusive | Dave Portnoy reveals what could end his feud with Roger Goodell \u2014 and the Barstool figure he blames for nearly getting him canceled<\/a><\/p>\n

Johnson, the former Titans workhorse and one-time Jets running back, shared the news during an appearance on \u201cGood Morning America.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no history of ALS in my family,\u201d Johnson, now 40, shared in an interview with Michael Strahan. \u201cMy doctors believe my case is what\u2019s called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking,\u201d he added. \u201cIt can happen to someone who never expected it.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about the diagnosis, Johnson said he would fight through it. <\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t know if you ever fully process it,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cAt first, you\u2019re in shock. Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson says that his disease reared its ugly head when he was spending time with his wife, Brittany Johnson, and four kids, as he felt his right hand going a bit weaker than normal.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, it was little things like my grip didn\u2019t feel right, and I wasn\u2019t as strong as I\u2019ve always been.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Johnson family revealed that they had expected the issue to be related to his lengthy football career, as he was drafted in the first round in 2008 and had a 10-year NFL career after playing throughout his youth.<\/p>\n

Read more The veteran actor who played Danny Tanner in original unaired \u2018Full House\u2019 pilot unearthed<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought because of football and, you know, his career, that it had to be something with that,\u201d Brittany told Strahan. \u201cMaybe \u2026 a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig\u2019s Disease, has an average life expectancy of three to five years, with about 10 percent of those diagnosed surviving for 10 or more years.<\/p>\n

From here, Johnson and his wife, Brittany, have chosen to undergo experimental treatments to help advance trials of new options for patients. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined. I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body,\u201d Johnson admitted. \u201cJust over a year ago, I was picking up my 7-year-old daughter so she\u2019d make a wish with her birthday cake. Today, I couldn\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson starred for the Titans for his first six seasons, winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2009 after running for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns with 50 catches, 503 yards and two additional scores.<\/p>\n

The three-time Pro Bowler spent one year with the Jets in 2014 and played three seasons with the Cardinals to end his NFL career, which saw him run for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Johnson says while ALS has changed his body, it hasn\u2019t changed who he is.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you\u2019re not still the same person inside,\u201d he said. \u201cI still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn\u2019t cooperate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Comcast plans to split into two companies, will spinoff NBC and Sky<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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