Former NFL star Chris Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis at 39

We're back now with our GMA coverage story, my exclusive interview with former NFL star Chris Johnson.The three -time pro bowler had more than 11 ,000 yards, 11 ,000 total offensive yards in his career, and still holds the record for the most yards from scrimmage in a season.But now he's in a fight for his life off the field.Chris Johnson, one of the fastest running backs in NFL history, shattered records throughout his career.so fast he earned the nickname CJ2K.He retired in 2017 and has been out of the spotlight but today he is sharing something deeply personal.

You've chosen to share some personal news today and it takes a tremendous amount of courage to share it.What would you like for people to know?

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.

In 2025, at the age of 39, Johnson was diagnosed with ALS, the disease progressing so rapidly that he now uses his eyes to trigger a speech -generating device to speak.Why do you want to share this now?

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 says he was in the prime of his life, working out daily and running errands with his four children until ALS changed everything.

Let's go back to last year.

When did you notice that something was off?

I first noticed weakness in my right hand.At first it was little things like my grip didn't feel right and I wasn't as strong as I've always been.

His wife Brittany thought it was something much simpler.Brittany what did you think it was at the time?

I thought becauseof football and you know his career that it had to be something with that maybe a pinched nerve or something along those lines but never ALS.

And what did doctors tell you initially about your condition?

We hoped it was something else but after thorough testing they finally came down with a diagnosis of ALS.They told us about a medication that might extend life by a few months.Then they told us to get our affairs in order.It was hard hearing that, but after watching Good Morning America and seeing Dr. Merrick with Eric Dane, we reached out to her.She was willing to think more creatively, offering experimental treatments that might help in advanced research.

Dr. Merit Sikovic is a neurologist and leading ALS researcher at Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute.

Chris has been on standard of care, which is about three different medications that slow down the illness, but he was also part of a clinical trial, a therapy that decreases inflammation, and I think that helped him a lot.

With no family history of ALS, doctors believe his is a case of sporadic ALS, the most common form of the disease, affecting about 90 % of patients occurring randomly in people with no known family history of ALS.

That's one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking.It can happen to someone who never expected it.

And for me, it's shocking.It's hard to process it for me because I know you, Chris, from just the incredible athlete that you are.How do you process it?

Honestly, I don't know if you ever fully process it.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.

And Brittany, what was it like for you when you found out that Chris had AIDS?

All I could think about was our kids and how young they are.Just, you're in denial.You want it to be anything else.You want the doctors to be wrong.The life that we previously had is like now a thing of the past.But we're still hopeful.

We're hopeful, you know, that a breakthrough will happen and that, or you know, God, a miracle will happen, you know?

And what kind of support has helped you the most through this?

Without a doubt, my wife, Brittany, she hasn't left my side through any of this.My kids are also a huge part of why I keep going.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.

I know Brittany, the unsung hero of a lot of caregivers.So what has this been like for you?

Oh, it's tough.It's tough.We have good days.We have bad days.Our life has shifted so much, and it's a heavy workload.But I have no doubt that this is what I was called to do.

So how has it progressed since you've been diagnosed?

It's continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined.I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body.Just over a year ago, I was picking up my seven -year -old daughter.So she make a wish with her birthday cake.Today, I couldn't do that.

And what do you hope people or you wish people understood about living with ALS?

Assume you're not still the same person inside.I still think the same.I still dream.I still love my family.My body just doesn't cooperate.

What are the doctors telling you about the treatment and the progression?

Having doctors who are willing to collaborate and explore every reasonable option.has meant a lot to my family.Right now there isn't a cure, but we're seeing more research, more clinical trials, and more promising ideas than ever before.Seeing how hard these doctors and researchers are working gives me hope.As long as they're fighting for people with ALS, I'm going to keep fighting too.

Yeah, and I want to thank Chris and Brittany for inviting me to their home with their family for that interview.And soon after Chris was diagnosed, they recorded his voice, which is why the speech -generating machine sounds exactly like him.And Chris also told me awareness is great, but it's not enough.ALS needs funding.He was diagnosed relatively early and is doing everything he can, but still can't even hold a cup.And that's why early detection, more research, and better treatment are so important.

But he said, if you're newly diagnosed, don't lose hope.Research is moving faster.than ever.

Incredible spirit.

Yeah.

My goodness.

Yeah, but it was definitely, like I said, hard for me to process watching this guy who I've admired for a long time.Incredible record -holding NFL running back.

But he still has that grit, doesn't he?

Mind is still sharp.Yeah.Mind is still sharp.

And still admire.Still admire.You said he admired him.Still.I mean, his admiration right now is off the charts for what he's doing.That was a great interview.

It really was.

Thank you guys.All right, let's go to Leslie.