Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has revealed he can no longer speak on his own after being diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in a Good Morning America interview with Michael Strahan. He now uses a speech‑generating device triggered by his eyes to communicate, following a fast‑progressing diagnosis in 2025 that doctors initially said might only extend his life by a few months. The three-time Pro Bowl selection, now 40, said he moved quickly to get his affairs in order.
Last year he was lifting his seven‑year‑old daughter to help her make birthday wishes; today he cannot do so, highlighting how quickly the disease has attacked his body and muscle control. ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys nerve cells controlling voluntary movement, speech and muscle function, according to the ALS Association.
