Ex-Titans, Cardinals RB Chris Johnson announces ALS diagnosis
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Running back Chris Johnson owns the NFL single-season record in yards from scrimmage, totaling 2,509 yards in 2009 as a member of the Tennessee Titans Grant Halverson / Getty Images
By Saad YousufJune 29, 2026 Updated 10:57 am EDTFormer Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson, who holds the NFL’s single-season record for yards from scrimmage, revealed Monday that he has been diagnosed with ALS, short for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Johnson, 40, shared the diagnosis on Good Morning America in an interview with GMA host and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
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
“First, I want people to know that I’m still me,” Johnson said non-verbally, using his eyes to communicate through a speaking device. “ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am.”
Following a 10-year NFL career, Johnson retired from the league in 2017. He was drafted by the Titans in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of East Carolina. Johnson rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons in the NFL. In that span, Johnson missed just one game, when he was inactive for the regular season finale his rookie year because the Titans had already clinched the top seed in the AFC.
Johnson’s NFL peak came in 2009, his second season as a pro, when he shattered records. That year, Johnson joined the exclusive 2,000-yard club by rushing for 2,006 yards in 16 games. He became the sixth player to accomplish the feat and remains one of just nine players in NFL history to cross the 2,000-yard threshold. In addition to his dominance in the run game, Johnson caught 50 passes for 503 yards. His 2,509 yards from scrimmage that season still stands as the NFL record. Johnson’s electric season earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors and the nickname, CJ2K.
Following his six seasons with the Titans, Johnson spent 2014 with the New York Jets before spending the final three seasons of career with the Cardinals. Johnson retired from the NFL in 2017. In 2024, Johnson was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Since his retirement, Johnson has largely stayed out of the public spotlight. In his interview with Good Morning America, Johnson said he was living a regular life, working out daily and spending time with his four children and his wife, Brittany. Johnson’s ALS journey began last year, when he initially felt weakness in his right hand. Brittany, who sat next to Johnson during the interview, didn’t think it was anything nearly as severe as ALS.
“I thought, because of football and his career, that it had to be something with that,” Brittany said on Good Morning America. “Maybe a pinched nerve, or something along those lines, but never ALS.”
Following a series of tests, doctors diagnosed Johnson with ALS. Johnson has no family history of ALS, making his diagnosis sporadic ALS, which is the most common form of the disease. They told Johnson about a medication that could extend his life for a few months, and told the family to get their affairs in order.
“It was hard hearing that,” Johnson said.
“It’s continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined. 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.”
Titans owner with statement on @ChrisJohnson28's ALS diagnosis pic.twitter.com/mxkUYJjyg0
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) June 29, 2026
After watching Dr. Merit Cudkowicz on television, Johnson reached out to the neurologist known for her ALS research. That got Johnson on experimental treatments, which Dr. Cudkowicz said included a clinical trial that decreases inflammation and was very helpful.
Johnson said Brittany’s support through this challenging time has helped him the most since his diagnosis.
“She hasn’t left my side through any of this,” Johnson said. “My kids are also a huge part of why I keep going. Every day, I wake up wanting more time with them, to make more memories and to just be their dad. They give me a reason to keep fighting.”
Johnson said one thing he hopes people understand about living with ALS is that the “mind stays sharp.”
“People sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you’re not still the same person inside,” Johnson said. “I still think the same; I still dream; I still love my family. My body just doesn’t cooperate.”
Johnson said he’s working with doctors to continue working towards a cure. Until that day comes, Johnson said he will continue to fight.
“Honestly, I don’t know if you ever fully process it,” Johnson said. “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.”
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
