Former NFL player Chris Johnson has revealed that he is living with ALS, a condition that has already taken away his ability to speak.
During an emotional appearance on “Good Morning America,” Johnson shared the news using a voice-generating device that utilizes recorded audio.
“It’s progressing much faster than I ever imagined,” he noted. “I want everyone to realize how quickly ALS can take hold. Just a year ago, I was able to lift my 7-year-old daughter to celebrate her birthday. I couldn’t do that now.”
Johnson explained that there’s no family history of ALS in his case and his doctors refer to it as sporadic ALS, which is the most common form of the disease.
“That’s part of what makes this disease so shocking. It can strike anyone when you least expect it,” he remarked.
He initially noticed a loss of grip strength, which his wife Brittany thought might be something less serious, perhaps related to previous football injuries like a pinched nerve.
Emerging research indicates that playing professional football might increase the risk of developing ALS.
As a father of four, Johnson mentioned his intention to fight through this battle and is currently undergoing experimental treatments.
This announcement comes just months after the passing of Eric Dane, a beloved star from “Grey’s Anatomy,” who succumbed to ALS at the age of 53. Dane had referred to the disease as a troubling condition that caused significant muscle weakness and challenges with speech.
What is the cause of ALS?
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in both the brain and spinal cord.
Known colloquially as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS impacts individuals of all genders and racial backgrounds, although it is slightly more prevalent in men. The average age of diagnosis lies between 40 and 70, though some cases can occur earlier.
ALS is categorized into two primary types: sporadic and familial. Sporadic ALS represents about 90% of cases and occurs without a known genetic cause. Familial ALS, affecting about 5-10% of cases, tends to run in families and is often linked to specific genetic factors, such as the SOD1 gene.
While researchers haven’t pinpointed definitive risk factors, ongoing studies are examining how both genetic and environmental elements might contribute to the disease’s onset. Smoking has been suggested as potentially increasing the risk.
What is the life expectancy of an ALS patient?
Generally, individuals diagnosed with ALS can expect to live between three and five years post-diagnosis, although some exceed this timeframe significantly. Approximately 10% of patients survive at least a decade, and around 5% endure for 20 years or longer. Stephen Hawking is a remarkable example, having lived with the condition for over 50 years after his diagnosis.
Dane chose not to disclose the timing of his own diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of ALS?
The disease often first manifests as slurred speech, trouble swallowing, or weakness in limbs that can persist for days or weeks without affecting sensory or cognitive functions.
As ALS progresses, several symptoms may emerge, including:
- Muscle stiffness or spasms, particularly in extremities
- Loss of motor control in the arms and hands
- Severe fatigue
- Difficulty articulating words and clarity of voice
- Challenges with limb movement
- Increased risk of stumbling and falling
- Weakness in facial muscles
- Uncontrollable emotional responses such as laughing or crying
- Breathing difficulties
- Partial to complete paralysis
For most, the disease progresses over a span of three to five years until voluntary movement becomes impossible. However, for others, the decline might be more rapid.
Ultimately, ALS leads to paralysis of the muscles necessary for movement, speech, eating, and breathing, with respiratory failure being the common cause of death among those diagnosed.
How is ALS diagnosed?
Currently, there is no definitive test for diagnosing ALS, and healthcare professionals usually recommend various tests such as MRI scans, spinal taps, or nerve biopsies to rule out other conditions.
Can playing soccer affect ALS?
There’s a possibility. Research from 2021 suggests that professional football players might face an increased risk of developing ALS.
In studying nearly 20,000 NFL players who played between 1960 and 2019, it was found that 38 had been diagnosed with ALS, and 28 had died from the disease. The incidence rate was nearly four times higher than among men never involved in the NFL, with many being diagnosed in their mid-30s.
Interestingly, those diagnosed tended to have longer careers.
Is ALS treatable?
There is currently no cure for ALS. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, which can include physical and speech therapy, respiratory care, and nutritional support. For patients experiencing breathing difficulties, ventilators may be utilized.
In 2014, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” gained widespread attention on social media as a campaign to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.
Several medications, including riluzole and edaravone, have been approved by the FDA to help improve short-term survival and slow the progression of physical decline.
Celebrities with ALS
ALS is estimated to affect around 30,000 individuals across the United States.
In addition to Chris Johnson, Eric Dane, and Stephen Hawking, other notable figures who have battled ALS include Aaron Lazar, John Driskell Hopkins, Eric Stevens, Joe Bonsall, Roberta Flack, and Kenneth Mitchell.
