What happened: During a recent television appearance, Chris Johnson explained that his medical condition initially presented as weakness in his right hand. The debilitating disease has rapidly accelerated since that initial discovery, severely impacting his overall mobility and speech.
Why it matters: The situation has deeply affected the athletic community, prompting former teammate Ryan Fitzpatrick to publicly address the long-term physical tolls of the sport. Doctors classified the specific illness as sporadic due to a complete lack of family history.
By the numbers: The dynamic offensive weapon earned Offensive Player of the Year honors following his historic 2,000-yard campaign in 2009. He currently relies on an eye-tracking, speech-generating device to communicate with others.
What to watch: The legendary rusher is actively advocating for a revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge to help fund critical research.