This past Monday, former Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings running back Chris Johnson revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS during an interview on Good Morning America. Johnson specifically spoke about his ALS diagnosis with former NFL player Michael Strahan on the show. When discussing his family medical history, Johnson had the following to say about his ALD diagnosis.
Chris Johnson Discusses ALS Diagnosis With Michael Strahan on Good Morning America
“There’s no history of ALS in my family,” said Johnson. “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.”
Johnson’s ALS diagnosis is heartbreaking on its own, but his explanation may ultimately have an even greater impact. By revealing that doctors believe he has sporadic ALS despite having no family history of the disease, Johnson is helping educate fans about a reality many people do not realize. His ALS diagnosis underscores that the disease can affect anyone, making his decision to speak publicly about his experience an important step in raising awareness while giving a recognizable face to a condition that remains widely misunderstood.
How is Johnson Coping With His ALS Diagnosis?
Johnson further addressed how he is coping with his ALS diagnosis.
“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.”
From there, he went on to say that he hoped the NFL steps up and performs research on the disease to help others who may eventually be diagnosed with it.
“I hope the NFL steps up, invests in research and continues working to protect players — both now and for generations to come,” Johnson said. “Together, we can push toward better treatments and, one day, a cure.”
Johnson’s response to his ALS diagnosis reflects the same resilience that defined his NFL career. Rather than dwelling on the shock of the news, he immediately steered the conversation toward hope and helping future generations. His call for the NFL to continue investing in ALS research is not about assigning blame. Instead, it is about using his platform to raise awareness and encourage progress toward better treatments. While his ALS diagnosis is deeply personal, Johnson has already made it clear that he wants his story to contribute to something much larger than himself.
The Impact of ALS On the Body
When discussing how his ALS diagnosis has impacted his body, Johnson had the following to say.
“It’s continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined. I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body. Just over a year ago, I was picking up my 7-year-old daughter so she could make a wish with her birthday cake. Today, I couldn’t do that.”
As explained by Johnson when recounting when he was diagnosed with ALS, the impact on one’s life could change suddenly. One anecdote with his daughter proves this to be the case and makes the reality of his battle with the disease difficult to ignore. This example may help you understand just how much suffering ALS has caused in less than 13 months. This demonstrates how much further the cause has to go.
Johnson Wants the World to Know “I’m Still Me”
“I want people to know that I’m still me. ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am,” he said. “People sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you’re not still the same person inside. I still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn’t cooperate.”
Johnson’s closing thoughts might be the most potent part of this entire interview. While his ALS diagnosis has limited his ability to move his body in new ways, he explained that it has done absolutely nothing to impact who he is at his heart. It is a crucial difference, seeing as those diagnosed with ALS are frequently characterized by what has been taken away by the disease rather than what remains with them in their day-to-day lives.
Johnson’s powerful story does more than tell the public that he has ALS.
It tells fans to recognize the individual beyond the illness and urges those dealing with difficult circumstances not to give up on hope.
Main Image: Sanford Myers / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
