Former Tennessee Titans star Chris Johnson has revealed he is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but insists that the disease may have changed his body but not his determination.

The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year disclosed his diagnosis during an emotional appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America, where he spoke using a speech-generating device controlled by his eyes — a necessity after the illness rapidly affected his ability to speak. Johnson said he was diagnosed in 2025 after initially noticing weakness in his right hand, but disclosed that the condition — a neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord — has progressed far faster than he ever imagined. However, the 40-year-old, who admitted the diagnosis was initially difficult to comprehend, insists that he quickly resolved to confront it head on.

“Honestly, I don’t know if you ever fully process it,” he said. “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. I want people to know I’m still me. ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am.”

Johnson explained that doctors believe he has ‘sporadic ALS’, the most common form of the disease, despite there being no family history. His decision to speak publicly was driven not only by a desire to explain his own circumstances, but also to raise awareness of a disease that remains incurable.

“There’s no history of ALS in my family,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it. If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research, or gives another family hope, it is worth it.”

Few players were as electrifying during their prime as CJ2K. Selected 24th overall by Tennessee in the 2008 NFL Draft, Johnson became one of the most explosive running backs of his generation. His 2,006-yard rushing campaign in 2009 earned him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honours, while his 2,509 yards from scrimmage that season remain an NFL single-season record. Across a 10-year career with the Titans, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, he rushed for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns, opening his career with six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and cementing the nickname that reflected his rare combination of speed and production.

The Titans responded to the news with a heartfelt statement from controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, recognising Johnson’s enduring impact on the club.

“Some people leave a mark on an organisation that you just can’t put into words,” Strunk said. “Chris Johnson is one of those people for us. His leadership on the field, in addition to his impact in the locker room and Nashville community, have written him permanently into the story of this franchise.

“Learning this news is extremely difficult, and we will support Chris every step of the way throughout his journey. We are holding him and his family close, and join our fans around the world in expressing our love for Chris.”

Johnson’s diagnosis also resonates deeply in Tennessee because he is the second prominent former Titans player to be diagnosed with ALS, often referred to as ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease’ after the baseball star who also suffered. Linebacker Tim Shaw revealed his diagnosis in 2014 at just 30 years old and has since become one of the disease’s most recognisable advocates, continuing to inspire through his resilience and fundraising efforts.

Sadly, Johnson joins a growing list of respected football figures whose lives have been touched by ALS. Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason is perhaps the most widely-recognised, having spent more than a decade raising global awareness after his 2011 diagnosis, but Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael, a cornerstone of the Chicago Bears’ famed 1985 defence, died earlier this year following a prolonged battle with the disease. Former Atlanta Falcons defensive back Tim Green has also continued to write, broadcast and advocate despite living with ALS.

For Johnson, however, the motivation to keep fighting remains intensely personal.

“[My wife] hasn’t left my side through any of this, [and] my kids are also a huge part of why I keep going,” he admitted. “Every day, I wake up wanting more time with them to make more memories and just be their dad. They give me a reason to keep fighting.”