Chris Johnson Takes Us Inside Life With ALS: ‘I Just Want More Time With the People I Love’
Former NFL running back Chris Johnson is navigating the rapid progression of ALS, a disease he was diagnosed with in 2025. The feature highlights his emotional struggle and the profound support he receives from his family as he faces the physical limitations of the condition.
Why it matters
The story provides a humanizing look at the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on high-profile athletes and their families.
Matt Verderame | Chris Johnson can’t stop crying.
More than a year has passed since his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the disease is rapidly progressing. Johnson can no longer speak. He can’t keep his head fully upright. He can’t take a step without significant assistance. The former All-Pro running back who could outrun everybody on Sunday afternoons in his prime is now sitting in a gray armchair on this Sunday in August, unable to leave it.
And yet none of that is why Johnson is crying.
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