- May 21, 2026
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In late June, former NFL running back Chris Johnson disclosed that he suffers from ALS. The announcement came during an interview with Good Morning America.
The segment raised questions about Michael Strahan's decision to not ask Johnson whether he believes football contributed to his ALS, and regarding the failure of the narration accompanying the interview or the discussion following it to mention the link between football and ALS.
The connection is undeniable; for example, an ALS diagnosis triggers automatic eligibility for participation in the concussion settlement, for qualified retired players.
In a letter to his children posted at The Players Tribune, Johnson acknowledges the possibility that football caused his ALS.
"I’ve seen a lot of neurologists at this point and been to basically every major ALS clinic in the country, and in my experience, as soon as you say you played football it’s like, 'Ahh, OK,'" Johnson writes. "Almost like an understanding, you know? I read one study, and from my understanding, it found that former NFL players were nearly four times as likely to develop and pass away from ALS compared with the U.S. male population overall. That was a shock. And to be clear, your dad’s not an expert, and that’s just one study, and there might be other environmental factors at play. Anybody can get ALS."
He's right that anyone can get ALS. The study to which Johnson refers emerged in early July. The fact that the information came as a "shock" to Johnson underscores the importance of ensuring that football players factor the risk, even if it's small, into their decision to play football.
The risk of immediate injury from football is obvious. The risk of concussion is clear, too, along with the possibility of developing CTE. Johnson's situation, coupled with the recent study, leaves no doubt that playing football introduces an enhanced possibility of eventually developing a disease that will attack the body in a way that no other disease does.
Most players will nevertheless accept that risk, given the good things football can do for them and their families. Still, it's important that they know about the risk.
Chris Johnson didn't. Due to his experience, and his willingness to share it, all players should be aware that the possibility of developing ALS is one of the risks they assume.
The segment raised questions about Michael Strahan's decision to not ask Johnson whether he believes football contributed to his ALS, and regarding the failure of the narration accompanying the interview or the discussion following it to mention the link between football and ALS.
The connection is undeniable; for example, an ALS diagnosis triggers automatic eligibility for participation in the concussion settlement, for qualified retired players.
In a letter to his children posted at The Players Tribune, Johnson acknowledges the possibility that football caused his ALS.
"I’ve seen a lot of neurologists at this point and been to basically every major ALS clinic in the country, and in my experience, as soon as you say you played football it’s like, 'Ahh, OK,'" Johnson writes. "Almost like an understanding, you know? I read one study, and from my understanding, it found that former NFL players were nearly four times as likely to develop and pass away from ALS compared with the U.S. male population overall. That was a shock. And to be clear, your dad’s not an expert, and that’s just one study, and there might be other environmental factors at play. Anybody can get ALS."
He's right that anyone can get ALS. The study to which Johnson refers emerged in early July. The fact that the information came as a "shock" to Johnson underscores the importance of ensuring that football players factor the risk, even if it's small, into their decision to play football.
The risk of immediate injury from football is obvious. The risk of concussion is clear, too, along with the possibility of developing CTE. Johnson's situation, coupled with the recent study, leaves no doubt that playing football introduces an enhanced possibility of eventually developing a disease that will attack the body in a way that no other disease does.
Most players will nevertheless accept that risk, given the good things football can do for them and their families. Still, it's important that they know about the risk.
Chris Johnson didn't. Due to his experience, and his willingness to share it, all players should be aware that the possibility of developing ALS is one of the risks they assume.