Chris Johnson brought back the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and NFL legends aren’t holding back. Even Tennessee Titans ownership has been called out by one of their own!
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The CJ2K Ice Bucket Challenge has taken the NFL world by storm over the Fourth of July weekend, with dozens of former players rallying behind Tennessee Titans legend Chris Johnson after his ALS diagnosis.
One week after Johnson appeared on Good Morning America to reveal he was diagnosed with ALS over a year ago, the challenge he launched on social media has created a chain reaction of support from some of football’s biggest names.
Johnson, who announced his diagnosis alongside Michael Strahan, shared on his own social media that he was bringing back the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with the hashtag #CJ2KIceBucketChallenge. The goal: raise money for ALS research and awareness.
His message on Good Morning America was clear. If his situation can help save one person with ALS in the future, it’s all worth it.
Johnson kicked things off by challenging his former Titans teammate LenDale White, his Smash and Dash partner, along with Pacman Jones and Marshawn Lynch. All three completed the challenge, and that ignited the chain.
Vince Young tosses the challenge to Amy Adams Strunk
The most notable challenge, to me, still hanging out there belongs to Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk.
Former Titans quarterback Vince Young, the 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and the quarterback behind so many of those CJ seasons, issued the challenge directly to Strunk.
There’s a full-circle element to Young being the one to make the call. Young was drafted by Amy’s father, Bud Adams, who founded and owned the franchise and moved it from Houston to Nashville. Young, a Houston native and Rose Bowl champion at Texas, was Bud’s guy.
Bud Adams was also the owner when Johnson was drafted in 2008. Johnson’s final season with the Titans in 2013, he and every other player wore a memorial patch honoring Bud Adams’ passing. Amy Adams Strunk took over ownership control of the team in the spring of 2015.
Strunk released a statement supporting Johnson after the Good Morning America interview aired, and Johnson has been around the Titans organization for alumni weekends and post-retirement celebrations over the years.
Strunk should absolutely follow through with the challenge. It would be a tremendous move, and the Titans should put Chris Johnson in the Ring of Honor and donate to CJ2K’s ALS fund.
NFL legends pour in over Fourth of July weekend
Once the challenge picked up steam, it spread fast. Former Titans offensive lineman Fernando Velasco, who blocked for both CJ2K and Vince Young, completed the challenge. Keith Bulluck also jumped in.
The real explosion came when LeSean McCoy and Pacman Jones got involved. Pacman pulled Pat McAfee into the challenge. Shawne Merriman jumped in and challenged Darren Sproles and Rey Mysterio. Devin Hester completed his challenge, and McCoy paid off after Hester challenged him.
The running back fraternity showed up in force. Adrian Peterson, CJ Spiller, Thurman Thomas, Matt Forte, and Emmitt Smith all participated as of Monday morning.
Current Colorado head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders joined in, too.
LeBron James and Derrick Henry still on the clock
Two notable challenges remain outstanding.
Johnson’s daughter challenged LeBron James, and we’re still waiting on that payoff.
Multiple people have also challenged Derrick Henry, who has spoken publicly about watching Chris Johnson as a kid and the impact CJ2K had on him as a running back.
Those are the two I’m keeping an eye on. LeBron owes CJ’s daughter, and Henry completing the challenge would carry real weight given the connection between two of the most electric runners the game has seen.
Either way, the momentum behind the #CJ2KIceBucketChallenge has been remarkable, and the list of participants keeps growing.
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