The news that former NFL running back Chris Johnson, at just 39 years old, has ALS has absolutely brought back the big questions about what playing football really does to these guys long term. This isn't just another story; it hits different when you see someone so young, someone who used to electrify fields, facing something like this. The discussion about risks in the game has been reignited, and some fresh research is putting into stark focus just how real and significant the link between playing in the NFL and developing ALS at such a young age appears to be.
Ten Former NFL Players Died Before Age 50, And That's Not Normal
We are talking about something that is typically an old person's disease, something extraordinarily rare in the general population for anyone under 50. It is literally an anomaly for someone to pass from ALS before that milestone birthday. But the Concussion & CTE Foundation just dropped some staggering numbers today, showing that since 1960, they have identified **ten** NFL players who have died from ALS before even hitting the big 5-0. That number, ten, should make us all pause and really think.The Math Doesn't Lie: 0.24 Expected vs. Ten Actual
And here's where it gets truly wild. The same study says that based on population models, looking at a sample size like the 19,824 NFL players whose health records were studied, the math tells us something chilling. Mathematically, the expected number of ALS deaths before age 50 out of that massive sample should have been **less than one** player; specifically, 0.24 deaths. Think about that: 0.24 versus *ten*. That isn't just a difference; that is a chasm. It is not a coincidence. This study puts a spotlight on just how significant this link between playing in the NFL and developing ALS at a young age appears to be. Some of those publicly identified former NFL players who passed from ALS before turning 50 include 49ers linebacker Eric Scoggins at age 49, Patriots and Eagles running back Kevin Turner at age 46, and Vikings defensive back Orlando Thomas. This isn't just some abstract study; it is about real lives, real families, and the long term health of the guys who give their all on the field for our entertainment. When you see numbers like this, it makes you wonder what else we don't know yet, and what responsibilities we have to those who play the game we love.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.