Former NFL Star Chris Johnson Opens Up About Having ALS on ‘GMA’ (VIDEO)
What To Know
- Former NFL star Chris Johnson revealed on Good Morning America that he has been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurological disease that has left him unable to speak without assistive technology.
- Johnson, diagnosed at age 39 after initially experiencing hand weakness, is participating in a clinical trial and taking experimental treatments in hopes of advancing ALS research.
- He emphasized the importance of sharing his story to inspire hope, encourage early diagnosis, and remind others that ALS affects the body but not the mind or spirit.
Former NFL star Chris Johnson appeared on Good Morning America on Monday (June 29) and revealed the news that he has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease that has rendered him unable to speak with his mouth. Through a computer program that generates audio based on cues from the former pro running back’s eyes, he opened up about his condition, treatments, and state of mind to GMA‘s Michael Strahan.
“First, I want people to know that I’m living. ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am,” Johnson said in the above interview.
Johnson was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 39, and it progressed rapidly. Opening up about the illness, Johnson said, is important to him, “Because if sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires research, or gives another family hope, then it’s working.”
The NFL alum said that his symptoms began with weakness in his right hand. His wife, Brittany, who also appeared in the interview, initially thought he might’ve had a pinched nerve due to his football career.
“We were hoping there 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,” Johnson remembered of the diagnosis. “It was hard hearing that, but after watching Good Morning America and seeing Dr. Merritt [Sikovich, neurologist] with Eric Dane, we reached out to her. She was willing to think more creatively, offering experimental treatments that might help advance research.”
The doctor then appeared in the interview to reveal that Johnson is currently part of a clinical trial and taking medications to reduce inflammation. Johnson is believed to have sporadic ALS, due to no family history of the disease.
Johnson said of his reaction to the news, “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.”
Brittany said that her reaction to the news of Johnson’s diagnosis was, “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 now a thing of the past. But we’re still hopeful. We’re hopeful that a breakthrough will happen.”
Johnson concluded by saying that the one message he wanted fans to receive about his condition was, “Your mind stays sharp. People sometimes look at the physical disability and 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.”
Good Morning America, weekdays, 7am/6c, ABC
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