Tennessee Titans legend Chris Johnson revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The former NFL running back detailed the agonizing diagnosis in an interview with Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan that aired on Monday.
NFL World Stands With Chris Johnson
After Johnson’s interview on Good Morning America with Strahan aired, tributes poured in from the NFL world:
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sympathized with the former NFL running back. “Man… Praying for CJ2K,” he wrote.
Sports Illustrated reporter Albert Breer was devastated by the news about Johnson. “Heartbreaking news,” Breer posted.
FULL INTERVIEW: Former NFL running back Chris Johnson reveals his ALS diagnosis at 39. pic.twitter.com/5Pb8YAQ5x0
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 29, 2026
Radio host Drew Franklin sympathized with Johnson and referenced his legendary NFL playing career. “Heartbreaking news about a Titans legend. CJ was unbelievable to watch,” he wrote.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator
NFL Draft analyst Field Yates sent his prayers to the former Tennessee running back. “Incredibly sad. Praying for Chris Johnson,” Yates posted.
NFL Network’s league insider Tom Pelissero also offered his prayers to the Titans legend, and said, “Prayers up for CJ2K.”
Prayers up for CJ2K. 🙏 https://t.co/3W9SETh0ZR
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 29, 2026
Sports talk radio host Kayla Anderson sent her prayers to Johnson, while reminding him of the love from Titans fans.”We’re praying for you CJ. I know this man has so many people who love him in that organization and around the country.“ Anderson posted.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The ‘Savage Boston’ account on X was stunned by the running back’s ALS diagnosis. “Wow. Absolutely brutal,” the account wrote.
To give more details on the situation, Ari Meirov wrote, “Chris Johnson described receiving his ALS diagnosis as a shock, saying the doctor told him a medication might extend his life by only a few months and advised him and his wife to get their affairs in order. Johnson said he doesn’t think anyone ever fully processes news like that, but after the initial shock, he realized he had two choices: give up or fight. He chose to fight.”
Chris Johnson described receiving his ALS diagnosis as a shock, saying the doctor told him a medication might extend his life by only a few months and advised him and his wife to get their affairs in order.
Johnson said he doesn’t think anyone ever fully processes news like… https://t.co/scsIaGacL6
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 29, 2026
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the human body, and it does not have a cure. In Johnson’s case, the rapidly progressing disease has rendered him unable to speak, forcing him to use his eyes to trigger a speech-generating device to communicate.
The Tennessee Titans selected Johnson No. 24 overall during the 2008 NFL Draft, and he immediately established himself as one of the best running backs in the league.
Over the course of his 10-year career, Johnson played for three teams in the league, including the Titans (2008-2013), the New York Jets (2014), and the Arizona Cardinals (2015-2017) before retiring.
He had the best year of his career in 2009, when he rushed for 2,006 yards, the seventh-highest in league history. During the same year, he became one of only six players to have tallied 2,000 rushing yards, a list that has since grown to nine.
Johnson also broke the league’s single-season record for yards from scrimmage (2,509) and earned the Offensive Player of the Year Award. After his feat, he was nicknamed CJ2K. Johnson registered 9,651 rushing yards in his NFL career, with 7,965 rushing yards coming in a Titans uniform.
