LIONS
NFL Medical News: Chris Johnson Battles ALS
Jimmy Liao, MDLions Wire
July 13, 2026, 9:06 a.m. ET
The risk of football on the brain has hit the news a couple times recently by way of Chris Johnson’s ALS diagnosis and the NFL Neurodegenerative Mortality Study. Here are my thoughts on Chris Johnson:
Chris Johnson Diagnosed with ALS
Here is the link to the Chris Johnson interview at Good Morning America. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2025 at the age of 39. His last appearance in the NFL was in 2017
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terrible motor neuron disease that causes muscle weakness and eventually death. The cause of death is usually due to respiratory problems. The prognosis is not good, as median survival is 3 to 5 years. However, 10% of patients survive for more than 10 years
The symptoms can affect speech which is likely why Chris Johnson is not physically speaking during the interview
Johnson was a legendary running back in the NFL because of his ridiculous speed and his remarkable 2000-yard season in 2009. He is the player that Jahmyr Gibbs reminds me the most of. Wishing the best for Chris Johnson, and I hope he and his medical team can beat this disease
The preceding was an excerpt from my story: NFL Neurodegenerative Disease Study & Chris Johnson ALS. Visit the story for my analysis and thoughts on the NFL Neurodegenerative Disease Study
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