Former NFL star Chris Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis

Former NFL star Chris Johnson revealed on Monday that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The 40-year-old former running back shared the news in an interview with Michael Strahan on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” explaining he received the diagnosis last year at age 39.

Johnson said he first noticed symptoms when he began to experience weakness in his right hand. He described initial signs as subtle, including a loss of grip strength. His wife, Brittany Johnson, said she initially thought the issue might be a football-related injury, such as a pinched nerve. After extensive testing, doctors confirmed he has ALS.

Medical professionals have classified Johnson’s condition as sporadic ALS, which occurs randomly in individuals with no known family history of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases. Johnson said the diagnosis was a shock, noting that the disease can affect anyone.

The progression of the disease has been rapid. Johnson has lost the ability to speak and now communicates using a computer-assisted device controlled by his eye movements. His voice was recorded shortly after diagnosis so the...