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Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) pulls away from Jacksonville Jaguars defense for a 52 yard touchdown run in the third quarter at LP Field on Nov. 1, 2009. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 30-13 for their first win of the season. | George Walker IV / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Former NFL running back Chris Johnson was recently revealed to have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or more commonly referred to as ALS. The progressive neurodegenerative disease affects the nerve cells (motor neurons) in the brain and spinal cord. As the motor neurons deteriorate, the brain gradually loses its ability to communicate with muscles, resulting in weakness, twitching, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Rather than fold and give in, Johnson, with the support of his family, has welcomed this difficult time head-on and is now garnering the attention of many as a viral trend is making waves across social media platforms once more.
In 2014, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was created. The sensation was never thought of as anything more than a joke, but what it turned into can only be described as a miracle. According to ALS.org, it is believed that professional golfer Chris Kennedy became the first person to act in the challenge in support of his cousin’s (Jeanette Senerchia) husband, Anthony. “Jeanette accepted her cousin’s challenge, filmed herself dumping a bucket of ice water over her head ‘to generate awareness of ALS,’ and extended the challenge to three of her girlfriends,” the website states.
As the fun bit spread throughout their town, more videos in support of the Senerchias and others who have loved ones or know those affected by the disease began to pop up online. Celebrities, athletes, and even former presidents followed suit, dumping ice water over their heads and inviting others, while making financial contributions and donations towards finding cures to ALS.
Now, Johnson is attempting to rejuvenate the challenge in the wake of his diagnosis. He recently shared a video on X featuring his daughter completing the ALS ice bucket dump and calling out her brothers and none other than NBA veteran LeBron James.
Johnson’s post is quickly gaining traction online, much like the worldwide spread more than a decade ago. Many former NFL players and fans have responded by issuing their own videos and challenges showing that Johnson will not face this health crisis alone.
What may have started as a simple joke in hopes of making light in such a devastating time for a loved one’s family has grown into a global phenomenon and continues to gain notoriety. Every donation, every share, and every drip of ice water that hits one’s head in conjunction with the ALS Association is simply life-changing for someone out there. #CJ2KIceBucketChallenge #ALSAwareness
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