Chris Johnson diagnosed with ALS; disease progressing rapidly since onset.

Former Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson, who holds the NFL's single-season record for 2,509 yards from scrimmage (set in 2009), announced on Good Morning America that he has been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Johnson, 40, retired from the NFL in 2018 after a 10-year career in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons. His ALS diagnosis is sporadic (the most common form), with no family history. Johnson reported that the disease has progressed rapidly over the past year—initially presenting as weakness in his right hand before advancing to the point where he now uses a speech-generating device triggered by his eyes. He is currently undergoing experimental treatments including a clinical trial focused on decreasing inflammation under the care of neurologist Dr. Merit Cudkowicz.