Former NFL running back Chris Johnson has publicly revealed he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The announcement brings public attention to the challenges of the neurodegenerative disease, which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Johnson's experience highlights the sudden impact such a diagnosis has on high-profile athletes who spent their careers in peak physical condition.

Johnson shared the news during an interview at the Good Morning America studio. He said his children give him "a reason to keep fighting."

The athlete, who played for the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals, was 39 [1] at the time of his diagnosis. Now 40 [2], Johnson discussed the psychological toll of the condition and the unpredictability of its onset.

"That's one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking," Johnson said. "It can happen to someone who never expected it."

ALS is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, which eventually leads to the loss of muscle control. Johnson said that while he remains the same person internally, his body no longer cooperates with his will.

By speaking openly about his health, the former running back aims to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of the disease. He said that family support is a critical component of his resilience as he navigates the physical decline associated with the condition.

“My children give me a reason to keep fighting.”

The public disclosure by a former elite athlete like Chris Johnson underscores the reality that ALS does not discriminate based on previous physical health or athletic prowess. His visibility may drive increased public awareness and funding for research into neurodegenerative diseases that affect the motor neurons of both athletes and non-athletes alike.