Titans 'Express Love' to Chris Johnson After His Shocking ALS Diagnosis at 39: 'Holding Him and His Family Close'
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"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," the Titans said
Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans in 2010 Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty
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The Tennessee Titans are supporting former running back Chris Johnson after he revealed he has ALS
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said Johnson's "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"
The Nashville Predators and longtime fans of Johnson's showed their support for the Titans' statement in the replies on X
The Tennessee Titans have spoken out to extend their love for former player Chris Johnson amid his ALS diagnosis.
"Some people leave a mark on an organization that you just can't put into words. Chris Johnson is one of those people for us," Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement on Monday, June 29, hours after Johnson, 40, revealed on Good Morning America that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the progressive neurogenerative disorder for which there is no cure.
Strunk continued, "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," Strunk concluded.
Titans owner with statement on @ChrisJohnson28's ALS diagnosis pic.twitter.com/mxkUYJjyg0
, Tennessee Titans (@Titans) June 29, 2026
Tennessee's hockey team, the Nashville Predators, replied on X, "Our hearts are with Chris and his family during this challenging time. Music City stands with you CJ."
Johnson, one of the fastest running backs in NFL history who was nicknamed “CJ2K,” shared the news of his diagnosis with Michael Strahan in a pre-taped interview that aired on June 29. ALS, known also as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to die, leading to a degeneration of muscle control that depletes the ability to move, speak, swallow and eventually, breathe.
The former NFL star, who retired in 2017, was diagnosed last year after noticing weakness in his right hand and muscle loss. The disease has rapidly progressed, and Johnson now uses his eyes to control a speech-generating device to speak.
“I want people to know that I'm still me. ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn't changed who I am,” he told Strahan.
Chris Johnson on Dec. 29, 2013 in Nashville Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty
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According to Chris' doctors, he has sporadic ALS, the most common form of the disease, which occurs in people with no known family history. Sporadic ALS accounts for roughly 90% of cases. “That’s one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking,” Chris said on GMA. “It can happen to someone who never expected it.”
The former Titan said that while his physical abilities have dramatically changed, “My mind stays sharp," and added, "People sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you're not the same person. I still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn't cooperate.”
And despite not knowing if he'll "ever fully process" the diagnosis, 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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