In the interview, Johnson said he first noticed weakness in his right hand last year, when his grip didn’t feel right. But his condition began to worsen, and doctors ultimately gave him the diagnosis. Johnson said he reached out to Good Morning America after seeing a doctor discuss ALS, and potential experimental treatments.
“We hoped it was something else,” Johnson said. “But after thorough testing, they finally came down with a diagnosis of ALS. They told us about a medication that might extend life by a few months, then they told us to get our affairs in order. It was hard hearing that.”
In 10 NFL seasons, Johnson rushed for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns, while adding another 2,255 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
In 2024, Johnson was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
During an interview with TennesseeTitans.com in 2024, Johnson said he fell in love with the city, while Titans fans fell in love with him.
“I love Tennessee,” said Johnson, who played six of his 10 NFL seasons with the Titans. “I come back all the time. The city embraced me, the fans loved me. Everyone around the city – and the whole state, for that matter – embraced me. Nashville, and Tennessee, will always be my second home. It will aways be a place I come to.
“I love the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee. No matter where I am, I always seem to run into somebody from Tennessee and they are so nice to me.”
Johnson had 1,742 carries for 7,965 yards and scored 58 touchdowns in 95 games for the Titans in his career.
In 2009, Johnson ran for 2,006 yards with the Titans while setting a single-season NFL record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage. He was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, along with first-team All-Pro.
It was the time of his life, Johnson said.
“I was 21 years old when I first got there,” said Johnson in 2024. “I grew up there, in Tennessee, learned a lot, learned how to be on my own. I went from not having money, to having money and learning what I wanted to do with it. There was some maturing going on. It was a whole lot of growing up.
“And I loved playing football. I had some great teammates, great coaches. I have so many great memories.”
