Chris Johnson ALS diagnosis reveal draws support from Patrick Mahomes, NFL world
Tributes, love and support have been rolling in for Chris Johnson.
Johnson, the former NFL running back who spent time with the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, announced he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – during a June 29 interview with Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America.”
“There’s no history of ALS in my family,” Johnson said in the interview. “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.”
Nicknamed “CJ2K” for his 2,006-rushing yard performance during the 2009 season, Johnson earned the Offensive Player of the Year award for his efforts with the Titans that season. He accounted for an NFL-record 2,509 total scrimmage yards, adding 16 rushing and receiving touchdowns.
Johnson recorded more than 1,000 rushing yards in each of his six seasons with the Titans.
Across the NFL and sports worlds, many sent well-wishes, thoughts, support and positivity to Johnson following his announcement.
What is ALS?
ALS is short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is also known as motor neuron disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
According to the United States National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke the degenerative disease “affects motor neurons … the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement and breathing.” ALS causes weakness in the muscles that gradually progresses and worsens. ALS eventually progresses to affect muscles needed for speaking, eating and breathing, making it a terminal disease.
There is currently no known cure for ALS, but researchers have developed treatments that can slow the speed at which the disease progresses. According to the NIH, most people with ALS die “within 3-to-5 years of symptoms first appearing.” One in 10 people suffering from ALS survive 10-plus years.
