Titans postponing Chris Johnson’s Ring of Honor induction ceremony since former RB, family unable to travel for opener
Johnson is battling ALS, a diagnosis he revealed in June
By Andy Backstrom, Contributing writer
The Tennessee Titans will still dedicate halftime of Sunday’s season opener to “CJ2K,” but the team announced Friday that it’s postponing Chris Johnson‘s Ring of Honor induction ceremony.
Because of “unforeseen circumstances,” the iconic running back and his family are no longer able to travel to Nashville for the Week 1 game between the Titans and the New York Jets, the Titans said in a statement.
Johnson is battling ALS, a diagnosis he revealed in June. He will turn 41 on Sept. 23.
“Knowing how much he and his family desire to be in person at Nissan Stadium for his induction into the Titans Ring of Honor, we will postpone the official induction ceremony and look forward to celebrating the moment with them at a future date,” the statement continues.
“Sunday’s halftime ceremony will remain dedicated to celebrating Chris’ incredible on-field achievements and legacy with our team. Our thoughts, along with those of Titans fans everywhere, continue to be with Chris and his wife, Brittany.”
Johnson eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground in each of his six seasons in Tennessee. He piled up 58 total touchdowns during that span.
The shifty back rounded out his 10-year NFL career by playing for the Jets and Arizona Cardinals; however, he’s best known for his tenure with the Titans, with whom he made three Pro Bowls.
During his standout 2009 campaign, he was not only crowned the league’s leading rusher, but he was also named a first-team All-Pro and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He clocked out with 2,509 scrimmage yards, a single-season NFL record.
Johnson publicized his ALS journey through an interview with Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America” this summer. 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, additionally noting that he’s tried experimental treatments “that might help and advance research.”
He and his family have revived the “Ice Bucket Challenge,” in attempt to raise more awareness about the nervous system disease and, in turn, funds for that ALS research.
In July, the Titans unveiled that Johnson would be inducted into their Ring of Honor during Sunday’s game versus the Jets. Back then, Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement that Johnson “holds a special place in the hearts of our organization and our fans.”
“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.”
