Chris Johnson, certainly one of 9 gamers in NFL historical past to hurry for greater than 2,000 yards in a season who made the Pro Bowl in every of his first three years with the Tennessee Titans, revealed in a tv interview aired Monday that he has ALS.
Johnson, 40, spent 10 seasons in the league and final performed in 2017 for the Arizona Cardinals. He mentioned on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he was recognized with the deadly nervous system illness final 12 months.
“Honestly, I don’t know if you really fully process it,” he mentioned, utilizing his eyes to speak by a computerized speech-generating system in the course of the interview with Michael Strahan. “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.”
Johnson, a first-round draft select of East Carolina in 2008, rushed for 7,965 yards over six seasons with the Titans. The native of Orlando, Florida, had 2,006 yards in 2009 to earn the nickname “CJ2K” and ingratiate himself with the Tennessee fan base.
Titans proprietor Amy Adams Strunk, in a press release launched Monday, mentioned the group is holding Johnson, his spouse and 4 kids shut.
“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. 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,” Adams Strunk mentioned. “Learning this news is extremely difficult, and we will support Chris every step of the way throughout his journey.”
ALS, which is an acronym for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is often known as Lou Gehrig’s illness, is a neurodegenerative situation that impacts nerve cell communication with muscle groups all through the physique. The illness results in muscle weak point and may trigger deterioration of the power to maneuver, converse and breathe.
Tim Shaw, who had a six-year profession as a linebacker in the NFL and was a teammate of Johnson’s with the Titans from 2010-12, was recognized in 2014 at age 30 with ALS and remains to be alive.
Johnson, who additionally performed one season for the New York Jets, first observed weak point in his proper hand and hassle with his grip. He was nonetheless figuring out day by day a 12 months in the past. Now he can’t maintain a cup or converse on his personal.
“Your mind stays sharp. People sometimes look at a person with a physical disability and assume you’re not still the same person inside,” Johnson mentioned. “I still think the same. I still dream. I still love my family. My body just doesn’t cooperate.”
Johnson was joined for the interview by his spouse, Brittany, who has develop into his major caregiver.
“She hasn’t left my side through any of this. My kids are also a huge part of why I keep going,” Johnson mentioned. “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.”
Johnson has been taking part in experimental remedies with the objective of extending his life and serving to the medical subject transfer nearer to a treatment for the illness.
“If it helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research or gives another family hope,” he mentioned, “then it’s worth it.”