The 4 Times Higher ALS Risk That Nobody Is Actually Talking About

Alright, 12s, we gotta talk about something serious. Former NFL running back Chris Johnson just went public with his ALS diagnosis, and that's already tough news. But what's even tougher, and honestly, a bit wild, is how an interview on Good Morning America completely sidestepped the massive link between ALS and football. They got close a couple times, but never actually said it. It's like trying to ignore the elephant on the field, even when it's wearing pads.

The NFL Already Knows the Score

This isn't some theory floating around, folks, it's a cold, hard fact the league itself has had to face for years. The connection between debilitating neurodegenerative diseases and playing professional football? It's been established. Seriously, think about it: ALS is actually one of the specific conditions that automatically qualifies retired NFL players for no-questions-asked compensation. We're talking direct payouts from the league's unlimited concussion settlement fund. If a former player is diagnosed with ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, early or moderate dementia, or even certain CTE diagnoses after they've passed, they're on the list. The NFL recognized this connection, setting the qualifying date as July 7, 2014. That's a huge deal, an official acknowledgment that something is undeniably wrong and tied to the game we all love. It's not just an oversight, it's a recognized, devastating reality.

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A 400% Higher Risk is No Accident

And if you still needed more proof, a massive 2021 study absolutely ripped off the band-aid. Researchers dove deep, examining every single one of the 19,423 NFL athletes who debuted between 1960 and 2019 and played at least one professional game. That's a serious dataset, covering decades of the game! The findings? Absolutely chilling. The risks of developing ALS for these dedicated athletes were nearly four times as high as those for the general population. Four times! Let that sink in. This isn't a statistical blip, it's an undeniable, stark warning. You even heard Chris Johnson's wife, Brittany, on Good Morning America, explaining how she initially thought his first symptoms, like that weakness in his right hand, might have just been a pinched nerve. It highlights just how easily these devastating conditions can start, often masking as something less serious, before the true, heartbreaking diagnosis hits. This isn't just an individual tragedy, it's a systemic concern that demands our attention.

So, as we gear up every single week, ready to cheer our lungs out for our Hawks at Lumen Field, what are we really looking at? This isn't just about watching Sam Darnold sling passes or Jaxon Smith-Njigba make a ridiculous catch. It's about remembering the human cost of the game. It means we cannot, for a second, overlook these facts. We have to keep pushing for player safety, not just during the 60 minutes on the field, but for the rest of their lives. This isn't just about winning a few games this early season. It's about the future of football, and making sure the heroes of today aren't paying an unbearable price down the line. We owe it to every player, past and present, to keep this conversation burning brightly.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.