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Chris Johnson Revives Ice Bucket Challenge After Rapid ALS Diagnosis

A social-media push led by the former Titans running back has drawn athlete participation and funneled early donations to Massachusetts General Hospital for ALS research.

Overview

  • Chris Johnson publicly disclosed that he has sporadic ALS and said the disease has progressed quickly, leaving him unable to speak and using an eye‑controlled speech device.
  • Johnson urged followers to restart the Ice Bucket Challenge on social media as a fundraising and awareness tool and named several former teammates and public figures in his appeal.
  • High‑profile athletes including Marshawn Lynch, Vince Young, Deion Sanders, LenDale White and Adam "Pacman" Jones posted challenge videos or messages in support of Johnson.
  • A fundraiser linked to Johnson’s campaign has raised more than $33,000 for the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital in the first days after the appeal.
  • The revival explicitly references the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge that raised roughly $220 million for ALS research and could boost donations and trial enrollment for care and studies if the campaign maintains momentum.