CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Chris Johnson revives Ice Bucket Challenge after ALS diagnosis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Aug. 14, 2014.
CHRIS JOHNSON
NFL
In the summer of 2014, the viral "Ice Bucket Challenge" raised $115 million for the ALS Association. Former NFL running back Chris "CJ2K" Johnson is attempting to revive the challenge after he announced his diagnosis with the disease.
Johnson revealed his ALS diagnosis on the June 29 episode of "Good Morning America" in an interview with former New York Giants pass rusher Michael Strahan. On July 1, the former Tennessee Titans running back posted a graphic to his Instagram page thanking fans for their support before asking for help to bring back the "Ice Bucket Challenge."
"Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge united millions of people around one cause and helped change the fight against this disease," the graphic says. "Today, I'm asking you to help me do it again."
Johnson said in the post that his idea for an Ice Bucket Challenge revival was inspired by former Utah men's basketball player Hunter Mecum, who posted a video of himself doing the challenge in honor of the former Titans running back. Mecum said he was nominating the "2,000 active NFL players" to participate in the challenge in honor of Johnson's 2,000-yard season in 2009.
In the caption, CJ2K nominated former teammate and running back LenDale White, former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and former NFL cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones to take part in the challenge.
In addition to posting a video completing the challenge, Johnson also requested donations benefiting ALS research at Massachusetts General Hospital's Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. As of the time of writing, $30,007 has been raised by Johnson's campaign.
Within 10 hours of Johnson's post, Lynch and White posted their own videos completing the challenge. White nominated Deion Sanders, Vince Young and Mike Sims-Walker.
Johnson also posted a video of his daughter taking part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, in which she nominated her brothers and NBA star LeBron James.
Johnson, 40, played 10 NFL seasons with the Titans, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. The No. 24 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft became just the sixth running back in NFL history at the time to run for 2,000 yards in a season, when he rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009. His efforts earned him the "CJ2K" nickname. Johnson finished his NFL career with 2,163 carries for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns. He last played during the 2017 season with the Cardinals.
What is ALS?
ALS "is a neurological disorder that affects motor neurons. Motor neurons are the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement and breathing," says the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
As the disease begins to kill motor neurons, they stop sending messages to the muscles, causing them to weaken, twitch and diminish. People with ALS eventually lose their ability to control voluntary movements such as walking, talking, chewing and breathing.
When the disorder progresses, individuals with ALS might also experience complications with drooling, speaking, crying, laughing, constipation and maintaining a healthy weight.
What are the symptoms of ALS?
Early symptoms of the disease include:
â– Muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue
â– Muscle cramps
â– Tight and stiff muscles
â– Muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, or the neck
â– Slurred and nasal speech
â– Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Most people with ALS die within three to five years from being unable to breathe on their own.
Who is at risk for ALS?
While ALS impacts all demographics, some studies have shown that head injury can be associated with higher risks for developing the disease, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. However, more research is needed to reach a definitive answer.
ALS symptoms most commonly develop between the ages of 55 and 75, and men have a slightly higher likelihood of developing the disease than women. However, men and women at older ages have an equal chance of getting ALS.
White people, particularly non-Hispanic White people, are most likely to develop ALS, but the disease affects all races.
The ALS association says 90% of cases are considered "sporadic," meaning there is no family history or the presence of a genetic mutation.
