“Can’t Even Hold a Cup” – NFL World Rallies Around Chris Johnson After Heartbreaking ALS Announcement

Chris Johnson was diagnosed with ALS back in 2025, and is slowly losing sensation in his muscles.

“Can’t Even Hold a Cup” – NFL World Rallies Around Chris Johnson After Heartbreaking ALS Announcement

Chris Johnson (Image via Pro Football History)

Legendary Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Johnson, better known by his nickname CJ2K, played six seasons with the Titans.

On Monday, Johnson appeared on Good Morning America to speak about his condition. According to the 40-year-old, the news came as a shock.

There’s no history of ALS in my family. My doctors believe my case is what’s called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.

Johnson told host and Super Bowl winner Michael Strahan

Per Mayo Clinic, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The patient slowly loses the ability to perform even the simplest tasks.

Johnson first noticed the symptoms in 2025.

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.

Johnson said

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes is among the many who sent prayers for Johnson’s quick recovery.

“Man… Praying for CJ2K,” Mahomes tweeted.

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What are the doctors saying about Chris Johnson’s condition?

Johnson’s condition has deteriorated since last year. Per multiple reports, he can no longer speak or play with his 9-year-old daughter. Before recording the GMA episode, Johnson’s voice was recorded and programmed into a speech-generating device. He uses the device to communicate with others.

"Can't Even Hold a Cup" - NFL World Rallies Around Chris Johnson After Heartbreaking ALS Announcement
Chris Johnson (Image via Pro Football History)

Although there’s no known cure for ALS, Dr. Merit Cudkowicz told GMA that Johnson is responding well to a new experimental clinical trial.

[It’s] a therapy that decreases inflammation, and I think that helped him a lot.

Cudkowicz revealed

A brief walkthrough of Chris Johnson’s NFL career

Johnson attended East Carolina University and played four seasons with the Pirates. During his final year, he rushed 236 times for 1423 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

The Titans drafted him 24th overall in 2008. Following a 1200-yard debut campaign, Johnson became one of the few running backs to rush for 2000+ yards. Four more 1000-yard seasons later, he was released by the Titans.

In 2014, he signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. He registered a career low 663 yards on 155 carries.

His next stop was in Arizona. In 11 games, he rushed for 814 yards and 3 touchdowns on 196 carries. Johnson was active for two more seasons before announcing his retirement in November 2018. In total, he made 130 NFL appearances, racked up 9651 yards and 55 touchdowns on 2163 carries.

Johnson retired with three Pro Bowl appearances and an Offensive Player of the Year honor. The Titans immortalized his name by inducting him into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

Former Titans teammate explains how to fight ALS

Johnson isn’t the first Titans player to be diagnosed with ALS. His teammate, Tim Shaw, has been battling ALS since 2014. In a text message to Titans reporter Paul Kuhasky, Shaw wrote,

I’m very proud of CJ. Telling the world is super tough. Especially when you’re a private person. Chris and I have been talking for a while. He’s got such a great attitude. He’s got all the motivation of his family. And he has faith in God for his future. So, he’s crushing it.

Shaw also left the secret to fighting and defeating ALS in an Instagram post.

Shaw played for the Titans from 2010-2012, the final three seasons of a six-year NFL career. 

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