Titans will induct former RB Chris Johnson into franchise’s Ring of Honor during season opener

Last month, Johnson, 40, revealed his ALS diagnosis during an interview with Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America.” At the time, he explained that he learned he had the disease, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, last year. Since, it’s progressed rapidly.

To speak to Strahan, Johnson used his eyes to operate a speech-generating device.

“You can give up or you can fight. I chose to fight,” Johnson said, also noting that he’s tried experimental treatments “that might help and advance research.”

He and his family have revived the “Ice Bucket Challenge,” with fellow former NFL running backs Marshawn Lynch and Edgerrin James notably taking part. James put a twist on it, instead showering himself with a downpour of cash, illustrating that he’s donating $9,651 to Johnson’s cause. That’s a symbolic number as it signifies the 2009 NFL Offensive Player of the Year’s career rushing total.

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Johnson accumulated that yardage over 10 seasons in the league. The Titans drafted him out of East Carolina with the No. 24 overall pick in 2008. The next year, en route to earning first-team All-Pro honors, he piled up 2,006 yards and 14 scores on the ground, plus 50 receptions, 503 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. In the process, Johnson notched a single-season NFL record with 2,509 scrimmage yards.

He tallied at least 1,000 rushing yards in each of his six seasons in Tennessee.

“Chris Johnson holds a special place in the hearts of our organization and our fans,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement on Friday.

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“His stats speak for themselves, and he will forever remain a leader in our record books, but the man behind the yardage deserves just as much celebration. We look forward to welcoming him home on Sept. 13 and officially inducting him into the Titans Ring of Honor.”