Former NFL star and three-time Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson revealed his ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis on Good Morning America on Monday. 

The 40-year-old had a decade-long journey in the NFL and is one of the nine players in the league’s history to register more than 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. Johnson revealed to Michael Strahan that he was diagnosed with the disease last year. 

"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," Johnson told Strahan with the help of a speech-generating device on Monday. "I first noticed weakness in my right hand. At first it was little things like my grip didn't feel right, and I wasn't as strong as I've always been."

Per an ABC News report, Johnson described his ALS diagnosis as a “shock” considering he was still in his prime last year, working out and spending time with his family. But now, he wants to talk about ALS to help people who go through the same thing.

"If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research, or gives another family hope, then it's worth it," Johnson added.

Johnson then revealed that the doctor who diagnosed him said that he had only a few months left. The RB shared later that he is a part of a clinical experiment as part of his ALS treatment. 

Strahan explained that Johnson suffers from sporadic ALS, one of the most common forms of the disease, and it occurs randomly in people with no known family history.

"I don't know if you ever fully process it. At first, you're in shock. Then you realise you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight.
I chose to fight," Johnson added.

Johnson was picked in the first round by the Tennessee Titans during the 2008 NFL Draft. He delivered a record-breaking campaign in 2009, rushing for a league-high 2,006 yards on 358 carries and a 91-yard run. 

After six years with the Titans, he spent one year with the New York Jets in 2014. He spent his final years in the league with the Arizona Cardinals from 2015 to 2017. The RB ran for over 11,000 total offensive yards throughout his NFL career and retired in 2017.

Fans React and Send Prayers for Chris Johnson for His ALS Recovery

Following his interview with Good Morning America, fans rushed to the comments to send their prayers and well wishes to Johnson. The RB now uses a speech-generating device that uses recordings of his voice to frame answers accordingly.

“This is tragic! Were his answers pre-recorded? I’ve never heard a speech-generating device sound like that and answer so quickly,” commented a fan. 

ALS is an acronym for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This neurodegenerative disease affects nerve cell communication and makes it difficult for the person to move, speak, or breathe. 

Seeing Johnson in such a condition shocked fans who were witnesses to his NFL career and had given him the nickname CJ2K. 

“Omg that’s CJ2K? Is this from all the head injuries? I can’t believe this man. That’s horrible, man. Damn, talk about a reality check,” wrote a fan.

Johnson’s wife, Brittany, who was by his side during the interview, said that they thought the initial symptoms, like weakness in his grip, and thought that it was because of his NFL career.

A fan sent wishes and commented, “Damn man damn…Get better bro! Legend! And bro, your wife is a great person being by your side.”

Fans expressed shock at this revelation and sent prayers for Johnson’s recovery from the disease. 

A user said, “Tough watch… praying for you CJ2K. Absolutely brutal!”

Another fan commented, “Prayers for CJ2K. I hope you beat it. I miss watching you out there.”

The outpouring of love from fans, former teams and the NFL has highlighted the lasting impact Johnson made both on and off the field.

What are your favorite memories of CJ2K on the field? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore