{"id":769494,"date":"2026-06-29T19:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/769494\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T19:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:40:12","slug":"former-nfl-player-chris-johnson-40-says-hes-the-same-person-after-als-diagnosis-his-body-just-doesnt-cooperate-what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-the-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/769494\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NFL player Chris Johnson, 40, says he’s ‘the same person’ after ALS diagnosis \u2014 his ‘body just doesn’t cooperate.’ What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former NFL player Chris Johnson<\/a> has gone public with his ALS diagnosis in an effort to raise awareness about the terminal illness’s signs and symptoms On Monday, the 40-year-old former Tennessee Titans running back appeared on Good Morning America (GMA) for an interview conducted by former NFL alum turned broadcaster, Michael Strahan.<\/p>\n

Johnson says he was diagnosed in 2025, and his illness has progressed rapidly. He now uses his eyes to operate a speech-generating device in order to communicate.<\/p>\n

“If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research or gives another family hope, it’s worth it,” he said.<\/a><\/p>\n

Johnson told Strahan that he noticed the grip in his right hand becoming weaker. Eventually, the father-of-four was diagnosed with ALS and a grim prognosis that medication could extend his life by a few months. He said he and his wife Brittany were told to “get our affairs in order.”<\/p>\n

But Johnson was inspired to seek experimental treatments after watching Eric Dane’s interview with GMA in 2025. Dane, who died from complications from ALS in February 2026, had appeared alongside neurologist and ALS researcher Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, to discuss the former Grey’s Anatomy star’s treatment.<\/p>\n

Johnson began working with Cudkowicz and began taking medications to help slow down the illness.<\/p>\n

Cudkowicz told<\/a> GMA that the former professional athlete also participated in a clinical trail therapy to decrease inflammation that “helped him a lot.”<\/p>\n

\"Johnson<\/p>\n

Johnson and his wife Brittany in 2024. (Image via Instagram)<\/p>\n

Johnson was diagnosed with Sporadic ALS, since he had no family history of the disease.<\/p>\n

“That’s one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it,” Johnson said.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know if you ever fully process it,” he continued. “At first you’re in shock, and then you realize you have two choices: you can give up or you can fight. I chose to fight.”<\/p>\n

Johnson credited his wife and his children with giving him a reason “to keep fighting” so that the family has more time to make more memories.<\/p>\n

While he acknowledged how quickly his disease has progressed, he told Strahan that his “mind stays sharp.”<\/p>\n

“People sometimes look at the physical disability and assume you’re not the same person inside. I still think the same, I still dream, I still love my family \u2014 my body just doesn’t cooperate,” he said.<\/p>\n

Johnson is the latest public figure to go public with their ALS diagnosis. In May, 68-year-old 90 Day Fianc\u00e9 star Jenny Slatten<\/a> announced she had been diagnosed with the illness.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn more about the warning signs and symptoms of ALS and the importance of early detection.<\/p>\n

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.<\/p>\n

What is ALS?\"Motor<\/p>\n

Motor neurons degenerate and die with ALS, leading to a progressive paralysis.<\/p>\n

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive terminal disease that affects “what are essentially the living wires that connect our brain to our muscles,” said Dr. David Taylor, vice-president of research at ALS Canada<\/a> in a previous interview with Yahoo Canada.<\/p>\n

These “wires” are called motor neurons through which the brain signals the muscles. With ALS, the motor neurons degenerate and die, leading to a progressive paralysis.<\/p>\n

“You lose the ability to move, speak, swallow and then what makes it terminal is eventually, the ability to breathe,” Taylor said.<\/p>\n

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease, ALS is currently impacting about 200,000 people worldwide, approximately 4,000 of which are in Canada.<\/p>\n

What causes ALS?<\/p>\n

We still don’t really know what causes ALS, according to the expert. For about 10 per cent of people who are diagnosed, ALS is passed down through genetics. “We can connect this to a specific genetic variant that can confer the disease in individuals.<\/p>\n

“Otherwise, we don’t know the exact cause \u2014 we’re really honing in on that, and I think in the past several years, we’ve come a very long way. But it still continues to be something we’re searching for,” Taylor said.<\/p>\n

\"UNITED<\/p>\n

Eric Dane, best known for his role on Grey’s Anatomy as Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, died in February at 53 following a battle with ALS.<\/p>\n

ALS can affect anyone, at any age, any ethnicity, both men and women. … It’s important to be aware.<\/p>\n

David Taylor, ALS Canada<\/p>\n

Though genetics are the biggest known risk factor for ALS, Taylor added that “to some extent” aging plays a part, as the disease is typically seen in middle-to-late stages of life.<\/p>\n

It’s also been linked to smoking and brain trauma, “but there’s nothing that we have that’s super definitive,” he said.<\/p>\n

What are the early symptoms of ALS?<\/p>\n

ALS starts with a progressive weakness, either in the upper or lower body, as well as progressive slurring of speech or difficulty in speaking or swallowing.<\/p>\n

Progressive weakness in the upper body can look like impaired handwriting, difficulty lifting or reaching, trouble with dressing or hygiene (for example, doing buttons, cutting fingernails, etc.) and other daily tasks.<\/p>\n

In the lower body, it can include frequent tripping, difficulty on stairs, or getting out of a chair, as well as a foot dragging when walking or not being able to walk as far.<\/p>\n

\"Brain<\/p>\n

There is no cure for ALS, but researchers are optimistic.<\/p>\n

He notes people shouldn’t be alarmed as many symptoms can overlap with other diseases. However, ALS Canada does have an online tool called ReferALS<\/a>, with a checklist of early symptoms to encourage people to see an ALS specialist “as quickly as possible” if needed.<\/p>\n

The current diagnostic delay<\/a> in Canada is up to two years, which can be “most of an ALS patient’s remaining life.”<\/p>\n

How is ASL treated?<\/p>\n

There is no cure for ASL, but there are treatments that can improve the remaining quality of life or extend it. One treatment available is riluzole<\/a>, an oral therapy in the form of a tablet.<\/p>\n

“There are a couple other therapies that are more recently approved by Health Canada, we’re still learning about what the effect of those are. But in clinical trials<\/a>, they have shown that they can provide some slowing of the progression of the disease, but certainly not saving anyone,” Taylor explained. “We’re certainly looking to get better ones in the near future.”<\/p>\n

Taylor says it’s an exciting time for research, saying “I think we’re going to make some substantial strides.” He encouraged Canadians to donate to ALS Canada for research and national advocacy<\/a>, so “we can also ultimately fix this disease with the rest of the world.”<\/p>\n

For those who have a loved one who’s been diagnosed, applying to register with a local ALS society can help get the right supports in moving forward.<\/p>\n

Let us know what you think by emailing us<\/a> or threading us @yahoocanada<\/a>. Follow us on TikTok<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n