Titans to put Chris Johnson in Ring of Honor after ALS diagnosis
Tennessee will honor former running back Chris Johnson at halftime of its Sept. 13 season opener at Nissan Stadium.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Chris Johnson is headed into the Tennessee Titans Ring of Honor, with the franchise set to celebrate the former running back at halftime of its 2026 season opener.
The Titans announced that Johnson will be inducted on Sunday, Sept. 13, at Nissan Stadium. ESPN reported the honor comes after Johnson, 40, revealed last month that he has been diagnosed with ALS.
Johnson will become the 20th member of the Titans Ring of Honor, a nod to one of the fastest and most productive runners in franchise history.
Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in the team announcement that Johnson “holds a special place in the hearts of our organization and our fans.” She added that his production made him a franchise record-book fixture, while “the man behind the yardage deserves just as much celebration.”
Johnson arrived in Tennessee as the No. 24 pick in the 2008 NFL draft and spent six seasons with the Titans from 2008 through 2013, according to ESPN. He topped 1,000 rushing yards in every one of those seasons.
His biggest season turned him into “CJ2K.” In 2009, Johnson ran for 2,006 yards, which ESPN reported is the seventh-highest single-season rushing total in NFL history. He also had 503 receiving yards, giving him 2,509 yards from scrimmage that season, an NFL record.
That year earned Johnson the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, according to ESPN.
Across his Titans career, Johnson ran for 7,965 yards, ranking fourth in franchise history. His 58 total touchdowns also rank fourth in team history, ESPN reported.
The ceremony will bring Johnson back to Nissan Stadium as the Titans open their 2026 season. Strunk said the team is looking forward to welcoming him home and formally adding him to the Ring of Honor.
Johnson’s diagnosis adds a serious backdrop to the tribute. ALS, short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects how nerve cells communicate with muscles throughout the body. ESPN reported that the disease causes muscle weakness and can lead to worsening problems with movement, speech and breathing.
Speaking about his diagnosis, Johnson said, “Honestly, I don't know if you ever fully process it.” He said the initial reaction was shock, followed by a choice: “You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.”
For Tennessee, the Sept. 13 ceremony will put one of the franchise’s defining offensive stars alongside the club’s other honored figures. For Johnson, it will mark another place in Titans history, this time on the stadium wall.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.