Many questions are raised by the diagnosis of Chris Johnson with ALS after the former NFL star revealed he is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Johnson said he was diagnosed in 2025 after experiencing weakness in his hand and grip. He has what is called sporadic ALS, which means there is no family history of the disease. This is important because many people believe ALS is always inherited. In fact, most ALS cases are sporadic. ALS is a progressive disease of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that leads to gradual weakening of muscles used for movement, speaking, swallowing and breathing.
Chris Johnson: What Happened to the Former Star?
Chris Johnson announced he is battling ALS, putting a new light on a disease many people have heard of but maybe don’t fully understand. “First I noticed a weakness in my hand, a loss of grip strength,” Johnson said at a news conference. Over time, the progression of ALS made it difficult for him to speak and now he communicates with a speech-generating device. The announcement was emotional, with fans recalling him as one of the fastest, most explosive running backs in NFL history. “I wanted to bring awareness and show that ALS has changed my body, but not who I am on the inside,” Johnson said. His story is now helping others learn about the disease.
What is Sporadic ALS?
Sporadic ALS is when the disease happens without any known family history. Basically, the person who is diagnosed is usually the first person in the family who is identified as having ALS. This is the most common type of ALS and makes up the vast majority of cases. Sporadic doesn’t mean less severity of disease. It’s just the way the disease presents itself. Sporadic ALS is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, lifestyle, biological and unknown risk factors. Often there is no single cause that doctors can identify. That’s why research into ALS is so important. Knowing about sporadic ALS can help clear up confusion and prevent people from thinking that all cases of ALS are inherited.
Symptoms and Course of ALS
ALS attacks the motor neurons, the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. If these cells are not working properly, muscles can become weaker and lose function over time. Early symptoms may be weakness in the hands, difficulty gripping things, muscle cramps, twitching, slurred speech, difficulty walking or swallowing. It may start in one part of the body and then spread slowly to other parts. ALS is different for everyone. Some people notice changes in speech first, others notice weakness in the limbs first. As the disease advances you may need breathing assistance, mobility equipment, nutritional support and communication devices.
Yashpal Singh brings readers closer to the action with coverage of sports news, game updates, athlete stories, team developments, and major moments from the field. From local matchups to broader sports headlines, his reporting focuses on the stories fans care about most.