Former NFL Star Chris Johnson Diagnosed With ALS, Now Uses a Computer to Speak
Chris Johnson, the former NFL running back known as CJ2K, revealed Monday that he has been diagnosed with ALS — a degenerative neurological disease that has progressed so rapidly over the past year that he now uses a speech-generating device to communicate. Johnson, 40, made the announcement in an interview with Michael Strahan on "Good Morning America," speaking publicly about his diagnosis for the first time.
How It Started
"I first noticed weakness in my right hand," Johnson said. "At first, it was little things like my grip didn't feel right and I wasn't as strong as I've always been." His wife, Brittany, initially assumed the hand weakness was the result of years of wear on an NFL body. Johnson was diagnosed in 2025, at age 39, after what he described as a period when he was working out daily and spending time with his wife and four children.
"There's no history of ALS in my family," he said. "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."
The Speed of the Disease
The progression since his diagnosis has been severe. Johnson now uses his eyes to trigger a speech-generating device. His voice was recorded shortly after his diagnosis so the device speaks in a voice that sounds like his own.
"It's continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined," Johnson said. "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'd make a wish with her birthday cake. Today, I couldn't do that."
Despite that, his mindset has held. "First, I want people to know I'm still me," he said. "ALS has changed what my body can do. But it hasn't changed who I am. Honestly, I don't know if you ever fully process it. 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."
His Family Has Kept Him Going
Johnson credited his wife Brittany and their four children as his anchor through the illness. "She hasn't left my side through any of this," he said. Brittany attended the interview alongside him.
Johnson said his goal in going public was to help others. "If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research, or gives another family hope," he said, "it is worth it."
A Historic NFL Career
Johnson was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft and spent six of his 10 professional seasons in Tennessee before stints with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. He retired in 2017.
His 2009 season is regarded as one of the greatest single-season performances by a running back in NFL history. He rushed for 2,006 yards — becoming one of only nine players ever to break the 2,000-yard mark — and shattered Marshall Faulk's record for total yards from scrimmage with 2,509. He was named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections, and picked up the nickname CJ2K. In 10 NFL seasons he totaled 9,651 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns.
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk released a statement after the announcement. "Some people leave a mark on an organization that you just can't put into words," she said. "Chris Johnson is one of those people."
What ALS Is
ALS, short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It eventually leads to paralysis, stripping away the ability to move, speak, swallow and breathe. There is currently no known cure. According to the National Institutes of Health, most people with ALS die from respiratory failure within three to five years of symptoms first appearing, though about one in 10 survive a decade or more.
Johnson is not the first Titan to face the disease. Former linebacker Tim Shaw, who played for Tennessee from 2010 to 2012, was diagnosed with ALS in 2014 and has been living with it since, now using a wheelchair for mobility.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.