As the reality of the heartbreaking news of Tennessee Titans’ legend Chris Johnson’s ALS diagnosis continues to set in, a deep sadness can be felt across the NFL landscape, especially in Nashville, where Johnson made a lasting imprint on a community and an organization.
On Sunday, Tennessee will honor one of its all-time greats as it finally enshrine Johnson in the Titans’ Ring of Honor, recognizing not only the player but the man, whose now well-documented battle with this devastating disease is something to behold.
This will be a significant weekend for Johnson, who is not only being celebrated by fans and the organization; he will also receive the “Champions Award” from the American Brain Foundation for his work spreading awareness of ALS.
My kids are the reason for everything I do. I wrote this for y’all. @PlayersTribunehttps://t.co/a74wSl2eIN
— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28) September 10, 2026
Before kicking off this weekend, Johnson penned a letter to his children for The Players’ Tribune and shared touching personal moments and insights from his career. But a few small lines in the letter captured the emotion and uncertainty perfectly.
How can a man just be perfectly healthy one day, running around with his kids in the yard, and then the next, your hand starts getting weak, and it just travels throughout your whole body until you can’t talk anymore?
Man, I’ve asked myself that question like a million times, and I still don’t have an answer.
Unfortunately, for Johnson and others diagnosed with ALS, no one knows the answer, and we can only hope that one day doctors and scientists can find a cure for this devastating disease. Please take some time to read the heartfelt letter from Chris to his family, and cheer loudly when he receives the long-overdue honor of being enshrined in the Titans’ Ring of Honor.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Former Titans' great Chris Johnson pens heartfelt letter to his family
