July 1, 2026, 7:27 p.m. CT
A former Houston Texans foe is now fighting a battle bigger than football.
Former Tennessee Titans All-Pro running back Chris Johnson announced on ‘Good Morning America‘ this week that he was diagnosed with ALS. The 40-year-old told Hall of Fame defensive end and longtime GMA host Michal Strahan that while he can’t speak, he’s still the same person.
“First, I want people to know that I’m still me,” Johnson said, speaking through a speech-generating device. “ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am.”Medically known as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a fatal, progressive neurological disease that shuts down all motor skills. According to Johnson’s doctors, the former Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back is believed to have sporadic ALS after being diagnosed in 2025.
“If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research or gives another family hope, it’s worth it,” Johnson said.
A former standout at East Carolina, Johnson became an icon after breaking the then-40-yard-dash record at the NFL combine with a 4.24 time. A first-round pick in 2006, Johnson played 10 seasons, racking up 9,651 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns.
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Earning the nickname “CJ2K,” Johnson made history in 2009 after becoming the sixth player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards. He retired from the league in 2017.
The Texans report for training camp on July 21.