What Is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and Why Are Former NFL Stars Doing It?

Former NFL RB Chris Johnson has restarted the Ice Bucket Challenge to spread ALS awareness.

What Is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and Why Are Former NFL Stars Doing It?

Chris Johnson's daughter completes the ice bucket challenge to help her father spread ALS awareness (Image via Pro Football History/X)

LaDainian Tomlinson called for his followers to complete the Ice Bucket Challenge to spread ALS awareness, and they listened. Several former and current football players have completed the challenge, and more are likely to follow.

The Ice Bucket Challenge first became a global sensation back in 2014. People filmed themselves dumping a bucket of ice water on their heads and challenged their friends and family members to do the same to raise ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) awareness, a terminal neurodegenerative disease.

Former NFL running back Chris Johnson was diagnosed with ALS in 2025. Recently, Johnson/CJ2K kicked off the challenge with the help of his daughter.

According to the Associated Press, Johnson was inspired to take up this challenge after watching former Utah men’s basketball player Hunter Mecum’s post an Instagram video in which he dumped ice water on his head to honor the 40-year-old retired rusher.

The support you’ve shown me over the last few days has meant more than I can put into words. Seeing this video reminded me of something powerful. Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge united millions of people around one cause and helped change the fight[ing] against this disease. Today, I’m asking you to help me do it again.

Johnson said. (H/T NFL.com)

Last week, Johnson appeared on Good Morning America and told host Michael Strahan about his condition.

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 said

According to his doctors, Johnson is responding well to a new experimental treatment.

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Former and current NFL players complete the ice bucket challenge

Johnson challenged former All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch and former Titans teammates LenDale White and Adam “Pacman” Jones to complete the ice bucket challenge. They heard Johnson’s words and uploaded videos of themselves taking the challenge.

What Is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and Why Are Former NFL Stars Doing It?
Chris Johnson (Pro Football History)

Here are the videos.

It is slowly taking over the internet. Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who recently beat cancer, shared a clip completing the challenge.

Following in the footsteps of the Colorado head coach, former All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson also took the challenge.

Sanders and Peterson nominated other iconic running backs like LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Ricky Williams, and Eric Dickerson to show their support for Johnson.

Johnson, an alum of East Carolina, played six seasons with the Tennessee Titans. In 2009, Johnson led the league with 358 rushes for 2,006 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and scored 14 touchdowns, winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. After leaving Tennessee, Johnson had spells with the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals before retiring.

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