Chris Johnson's Wife Brittany Opens Up About Becoming His Full-Time ALS Caregiver

Chris Johnson once outran entire NFL defenses. Today, the former Tennessee Titans running back known as “CJ2K” relies on his wife, Brittany, for nearly every daily task. Johnson received an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in May 2025 at age 39. Soon after, Brittany became his full-time caregiver.

“My life has changed immensely as a caregiver,” she told People. “It’s nonstop, but I wouldn’t rather it be anyone else taking care of Chris.”

Her story mirrors what many families face after an ALS diagnosis. So, what does the work of an ALS caregiver involve, and when does a family need more help? Here is what the Johnsons have shared, plus what doctors and researchers say about caring for someone with the disease.

How did Chris Johnson know he had ALS?

Johnson’s first warning sign was easy to miss. He noticed weakness in his right hand. The symptoms started with “little things,” he told Michael Strahan on Good Morning America, “like my grip didn’t feel right and I wasn’t as strong as I’ve always been.”

Testing came next. In a letter to his children in The Players’ Tribune, Johnson wrote that a former Titans team doctor helped him get a nerve conduction study in Nashville. That first test did not deliver an answer. However, more testing followed, and a neurologist at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases in Gainesville, Florida, confirmed ALS in May 2025, according to Sports Illustrated.

That slow path is common. No single test can diagnose ALS, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Instead, doctors combine a neurological exam with muscle and nerve tests, imaging, and lab work to rule out other conditions. NINDS lists these early symptoms:

• Muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder or tongue.
• Muscle cramps, or tight and stiff muscles.
• Weakness in an arm, a leg or the neck.
• Slurred or nasal speech.
• Trouble chewing or swallowing.

Johnson has no family history of the disease. His doctors consider his case sporadic, which describes nearly all ALS cases. Only about 10% are inherited, according to the NINDS.

Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD, stresses, “Random muscle twitching does not automatically mean ALS. If twitching is persistent and accompanied by worsening weakness, muscle wasting, difficulty speaking, swallowing problems, or changes in walking, seek medical evaluation. Most importantly, avoid trying to self-diagnose a neurological condition based solely on internet symptom lists.”

Did football play a role?

In an interview with People, Johnson said he “can’t help but wonder.” The research gives him reason to ask. A 2021 study in JAMA Network Open followed all 19,423 players who debuted in the NFL between 1960 and 2019. Those players developed ALS and died from it at nearly four times the rate of other American men. In addition, players with ALS had longer careers, averaging seven seasons compared with 4.5.

Still, a higher rate within a group does not explain an individual’s illness. Doctors have not tied Johnson’s diagnosis to football. NINDS notes that some studies connect head injury to higher ALS risk, but the science remains unsettled.

A partnership tested: The family rallying around CJ2K

Johnson, 41, is married to Brittany Johnson, 39. The couple has been together since 2016, People reports, and they live outside Orlando with their family. They share four children: Lee, 20, twins CJ and Kaden, 14, and Honey, 8.

Brittany now serves as his primary caregiver. She gets help from Johnson’s cousin, Tamika Bridges, and other loved ones. The children pitch in, too. During People’s visit, Johnson used his speech device to call out “leg,” and his twin sons came over to stretch him.

Brittany describes the role as a calling. She told People that “there was no one else better fit for the job.” Her husband sees the cost, though. “ALS doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed,” Johnson said. “It affects the whole family. Brittany’s life changed, too. The kids’ lives changed.”

The daily realities of full-time ALS care

ALS destroys the motor neurons that control voluntary movement and breathing. As a result, people gradually lose the ability to walk, use their hands, speak, swallow, and breathe without support, according to NINDS.

Meanwhile, the mind usually stays sharp. Most people with ALS can still reason, remember and understand, so they are aware of each loss. Johnson called that the hardest part. “Having your mind still completely there,” he told People, “while your body stops doing things you’ve done your entire life.”

Family members carry most of that care. In fact, research published in Brain Sciences notes that informal ALS caregivers can spend more than 100 hours per week on the job. That is more than two full-time jobs, usually unpaid.

What an ALS caregiver usually provides

ALS care covers the whole body and the whole day. Johnson’s daily routine, as described by Sports Illustrated, shows how much one family can end up having to handle. Specifically, the work falls into six areas.

Personal care and hygiene

Caregivers help with bathing, dressing, toileting and grooming once hand and arm strength fades. Each morning, Johnson gets help using the bathroom and brushing his teeth. Occupational therapists can also suggest assistive devices that make these tasks safer.

Stretching and mobility

ALS often causes tight, stiff muscles. Therefore, daily stretching matters. Johnson’s day includes about two hours of stretching to keep his muscles working, and his twin sons often help. Caregivers also handle transfers between the bed, the wheelchair, and the bathroom. A physical therapist can teach safe techniques and range-of-motion exercises.

Feeding and nutrition

Chewing and swallowing get harder as ALS progresses, which raises the risk of choking and weight loss. For that reason, caregivers often prepare small, frequent meals and feed their loved one by hand. Brittany feeds Johnson his meals and nutritional supplements. Later, many people need a feeding tube.

Breathing support and equipment

Weak breathing muscles make sleep and physical activity difficult. Many people start using a breathing mask at night and later need it full-time, NINDS explains. Johnson uses a breathing machine. Consequently, caregivers learn to manage masks, machines, and devices that help clear the throat.

Communication

When speech fades, technology fills the gap. Johnson speaks through a device he controls with his eyes. It uses recordings of his own voice, a process called voice banking. Caregivers set up the device, troubleshoot it, and often speak up for their loved one at appointments.

Medications and care coordination

Finally, caregivers run the schedule. Brittany gives Johnson his medications, and he has physical therapy or a massage four or five days a week. Johnson is also taking part in a clinical trial, which adds more appointments. In short, the caregiver becomes the manager of a full medical team.

What to expect as an ALS caregiver

Expect the job to change. ALS is progressive, so the care you provide this month may not be enough three months from now. Johnson went from a weak grip to a wheelchair and a speech device in little more than a year.

Expect grief before loss, too. Brittany told Sports Illustrated the hardest part is “watching little pieces of him be torn away” and seeing how the disease affects their children. Psychologists call this anticipatory grief, and it is common among ALS families.

The strain is measurable. In a study in BMC Palliative Care, psychological distress, hours of care and lower quality of life all predicted heavier caregiver burden. Likewise, NINDS warns that anxiety and depression can affect both the person with ALS and their loved ones.

“Full-time caregiving puts spouses at higher risk of depression, anxiety and burnout,” says Wendi S. Williams, Ph.D., a psychologist and president of the American Psychological Association. “Many, honoring ’till death do us part,’ find themselves in a slow-moving, liminal space of anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss, mourning the partner and the life they knew while that partner is still alive.”

Money adds pressure, too. “Financial strain compounds this, especially if the ill spouse was the primary breadwinner or the caregiver has to leave their own career,” Williams says. She adds that caregivers also face a higher risk of prolonged grief disorder after their spouse dies.

Because of that strain, caregivers need a plan for themselves. For example, accept help when people offer it. Join a caregiver support group. Keep your own medical appointments. Above all, schedule regular breaks, even short ones.

Recognizing the limits: When caregivers need reinforcements

Love and commitment go a long way. However, they do not replace clinical training. NINDS says integrated teams of specialists give the best supportive care for ALS. In addition, the ALS Association reports that this team approach can extend survival and improve quality of life. Here is when to bring in professionals.

Breathing or swallowing changes

Shortness of breath when lying down, a weak cough, or frequent choking all need medical attention. A respiratory therapist can fit breathing equipment. Similarly, a speech therapist or dietitian can adjust how your loved one eats. Call 911 for any breathing emergency.

Unsafe transfers and falls

If you strain to move your loved one, or if either of you has fallen, the setup needs to change. Physical and occupational therapists can recommend lifts and other equipment. Home health aides can also take over the heaviest tasks.

Caregiver burnout or depression

Constant exhaustion, hopelessness or resentment are signs you need support, not signs of failure. Talk with your own doctor or a mental health professional. Meanwhile, ask about respite care, which gives family caregivers short-term relief. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988.

Asking can be the hardest step, especially for Black women. “Without asking for the role, Black women are often seen as the ones who can handle everything, so others assume they have resources to spare and rarely offer help,” Williams says.

Her advice is direct. “The first step is to ask for help directly and stop trying to do everything,” she says. “People keep relying on you to fix things because you keep fixing them, and when some requests go unanswered, others have an opportunity to fill the gap.” In addition, Williams recommends a therapist who understands both caregiving and cultural expectations, plus caregiver support groups and respite care.

Advanced care decisions

Eventually, families face choices about feeding tubes, ventilators and end-of-life care. Palliative care and hospice teams specialize in these conversations. Therefore, bring them in early, while your loved one can still share their wishes.

Bottom line

Brittany Johnson’s role as her husband’s caregiver shows what ALS asks of a family: hands-on care that covers nearly every hour and grows as the disease progresses. Most of that work falls on spouses and relatives, and it takes a real toll on their health. Building a professional care team early and protecting the caregiver’s well-being help the whole family.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does ALS usually start?

ALS symptoms most commonly develop between ages 55 and 75, although the disease can start at any age, according to NINDS.

Is ALS fatal 100% of the time?

ALS has no cure and is considered fatal, usually within three to five years of the first symptoms, but about 1 in 10 people live 10 years or more, according to NINDS.

Citations

The ALS Association. Quality local care critical for the ALS community. ALS Association. Accessed October 6, 2026. https://www.als.org/blog/quality-local-care-critical-als-community

Conroy É, Kennedy P, Heverin M, et al. Informal caregivers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a multi-centre, exploratory study of burden and difficulties. Brain Sciences. Published August 20, 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8394559

Czachor EM. Former NFL star Chris Johnson says he has been diagnosed with ALS. CBS News. Published June 29, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-johnson-als-diagnosis-former-nfl-star/

Daneshvar DH, Mez J, Alosco ML, et al. Incidence of and mortality from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in National Football League athletes. JAMA Network Open. Published December 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34910152/

Galvin M, Corr B, Madden C, et al. Caregiving in ALS: a mixed methods approach to the study of burden. BMC Palliative Care. Published 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011853/

Johnson C. A letter to my kids. The Players’ Tribune. Published September 10, 2026. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/chris-johnson-nfl-football-als-tennessee-titans

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). National Institutes of Health. Reviewed March 13, 2026. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als

Ross A. Chris Johnson’s wife Brittany on how her life has ‘changed immensely’ since becoming his caregiver: ‘This was my calling’ (exclusive). People. Published September 25, 2026. https://people.com/chris-johnson-wife-on-becoming-a-caregiver-in-nfl-star-als-fight-exclusive-12138797

Ross A. Former NFL running back Chris Johnson says he ‘can’t help but wonder’ if football career contributed to ALS diagnosis (exclusive). People. Published September 24, 2026. https://people.com/chris-johnson-cant-help-but-wonder-if-his-football-career-contributed-to-als-diagnosis-exclusive-12136758

Ross A. Inside Chris Johnson’s courageous fight against ALS after former NFL running back’s shocking diagnosis at 39 (exclusive). People. Updated September 23, 2026. https://people.com/inside-former-nfl-star-chris-johnson-courageous-fight-against-als-exclusive-12134961

Verderame M. Chris Johnson takes us inside life with ALS: ‘I just want more time with the people I love.’ Sports Illustrated. Published September 8, 2026. https://www.si.com/nfl/chris-johnson-inside-life-als-want-more-time-digital-cover