Chris Johnson, a former standout in the NFL, has openly discussed his recent diagnosis of ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Johnson, who is now 39 years old, received this life-altering news last year.
The former athlete disclosed his condition during a conversation with Michael Strahan, co-anchor of Good Morning America.
“There’s no family history of ALS,” Johnson explained. “My doctors have informed me that my case is classified as sporadic ALS—a category that comprises the majority of ALS cases.”
He further expressed, “This disease is particularly startling because it can strike someone without any prior warning or history.”
Johnson said he was working out regularly and spending time with his wife, Brittany, and their four children when he first noticed something was wrong.
“I first noticed weakness in my right hand,” he 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.”
Brittany initially believed the symptoms were related to the years her husband spent playing professional football.
“I thought because of football and, you know, his career, that it had to be something with that,” she said. “Maybe … a pinched nerve or something along those lines, but never ALS.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, ALS is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement. Over time, it can affect a person’s ability to move, speak, swallow and breathe. Although there is no cure, some treatments may help slow the disease’s progression and improve quality of life.
Johnson is taking three medications that help slow the disease, but he now relies on a speech-generating device created from recordings of his own voice.
“It’s continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined. I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body,” he said. “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.”
Johnson credits his wife and children with helping him to keep going.
“She hasn’t left my side through any of this,” he said of Brittany. “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 just be their dad. They give me a reason to keep fighting.”
Following the interview, Johnson took to Instagram to revive the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and raise awareness and funds for ALS research. In the video, his daughter, Honey Love Johnson, kicked off the campaign by nominating her brothers, CJ and Kaden, along with LeBron James.