Since announcing his ALS diagnosis, former Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson has received an outpouring of support from across the NFL community. Among the latest to support him was former Dallas Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith, who accepted a meaningful challenge to spread awareness about the disease.

Smith took up the ice-bucket challenge on July 6 to support fellow former RB Johnson, who is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. Former Buffalo Bills RB Thurman Thomas and former Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson challenged him.

"To my dear brother Chris Johnson, I’m dedicating this #icebucketchallenge to you and to those affected by this illness,” Smith wrote in his X post. “I want to take a moment to send blessings and prayers to you, your family, and support you in your fight.”

Smith further nominated former Los Angeles Raiders RB Marcus Allen and former Los Angeles Rams RB Eric Dickerson to take up the challenge to gain more support for the ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) cause.

Peterson, former Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders, former Buffalo Bills RB Marshawn Lynch, and former Titans quarterback Vince Young also participated in the revived challenge in support of Johnson.

Johnson boosted the revival of the ice bucket challenge to help raise funds for the cause and also to spread the word about ALS.

"The support you've shown me over the last few days has meant more than I can put into words," Johnson wrote in his Instagram post. "Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge united millions of people around one cause and helped change the fight against this disease. Today, I'm asking you to help me do it again."

The renewed wave of support also put the spotlight on Johnson's NFL career, where he earned the "CJ2K" nickname as one of the league's most explosive RBs before his ALS diagnosis.

"I want people to know I am still me": Chris Johnson opens up about his ALS battle

Chris Johnson played across three teams during his 10-year NFL career: the Titans (six years), the Arizona Cardinals (three years), and the New York Jets (one year).

Johnson revealed his diagnosis during a Good Morning America interview on June 29, where his eye movements helped operate a speech-generating machine that used his voice to speak.

"I want people to know I am still me," Johnson said, per an X post of Good Morning America. "ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn't changed who I am. If sharing my story helps even one person get diagnosed sooner, inspires more research, or gives another family hope, it is worth it."

He had his career-best campaign with the Titans in 2009, where he recorded a league-high 358 carries for 2,006 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, also logging an NFL-record 2,509 scrimmage yards, which earned him the "CJ2K" nickname.

While Johnson now faces the toughest challenge of his life, his NFL legacy continues to inspire players and fans, drawing more support to his cause.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore