Former NFL Star Chris Johnson Details Rapid ALS Progression 1 Year After Being Diagnosed At 39

Former NFL star Chirs Johnson is coming forward with a devastating health update. On Monday, June 29, the 40-year-old retired running back, nicknamed “CJ2K, revealed in a “Good Morning America” interview that he is battling ALS. Though Johnson was only diagnosed a year ago, the condition has progressed rapidly, and he now uses a computer to speak. “First, 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 ABC’s Michael Strahan. The former professional athlete went on to share why he decided to come forward. “Because if sharing, my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research, or gives another family hope, then it’s worth it.” Johnson additionally noted that his first symptoms were “little things” such as his “grip didn’t feel right,” with his wife Brittany initially thinking it was something related to his football career. Johnson had no family history of ALS and is believed to have sporadic ALS, the most common form of the disease.