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Former star running back Chris Johnson, who spent some time with the Arizona Cardinals, has revealed he is suffering from a tragic disease. Appearing on Good Morning America, he said he has been diagnosed with ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
He received the diagnosis last year, at the age of 39.
"There's no history of ALS in my family," Johnson said in the interview. "My doctors believe my case is what's called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.
"That's one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it."
His first symptoms were weakness in his right hand. He and his wife believed it was related to his NFL career.
ALS is a degenerative neurological disorder that eventually leads to paralysis, taking away a person's ability to move, speak, swallow or even breathe. There is no known cure. Per the National Institute of Health, most people who have ALS will die of respiratory failure in three to five years of their first symptoms.
Johnson became famous with the Tennessee Titans, where he played the first six years of his NFL career. He became known as CJ2K after rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2009 and was the league's Offensive Player of the Year.
In his career, he rushed for over 9,600 yards and gained a total of more than 11,000 yards from scrimmage.
Johnson's 10-year career concluded with the Arizona Cardinals. He rushed for 814 yards and three touchdowns in 2015 and then played in four games in 2016 and another four in 2017 before he was released.
The Titans released a statement on X/Twitter following Johnson's announcement.
It reads:
Our hearts go out to Johnson and his family.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Former Arizona Cardinals RB Chris Johnson diagnosed with ALS
Continue reading...
He received the diagnosis last year, at the age of 39.
"There's no history of ALS in my family," Johnson said in the interview. "My doctors believe my case is what's called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.
"That's one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it."
His first symptoms were weakness in his right hand. He and his wife believed it was related to his NFL career.
ALS is a degenerative neurological disorder that eventually leads to paralysis, taking away a person's ability to move, speak, swallow or even breathe. There is no known cure. Per the National Institute of Health, most people who have ALS will die of respiratory failure in three to five years of their first symptoms.
Johnson became famous with the Tennessee Titans, where he played the first six years of his NFL career. He became known as CJ2K after rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2009 and was the league's Offensive Player of the Year.
In his career, he rushed for over 9,600 yards and gained a total of more than 11,000 yards from scrimmage.
Johnson's 10-year career concluded with the Arizona Cardinals. He rushed for 814 yards and three touchdowns in 2015 and then played in four games in 2016 and another four in 2017 before he was released.
The Titans released a statement on X/Twitter following Johnson's announcement.
It reads:
Our hearts go out to Johnson and his family.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Former Arizona Cardinals RB Chris Johnson diagnosed with ALS
Continue reading...
