Matt Hasselbeck says Chris Johnson’s ALS diagnosis shook him, calling the Titans star “Superman”

Chris Johnson’s NFL career ended years ago, but the impact of his life today has quickly reached far beyond the sport. On July 1, the retired Tennessee Titans running back announced he has ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The announcement prompted an immediate response from people who shared the field with him, including former Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck, who played with Johnson during Johnson’s prime in Tennessee, described how the diagnosis “shook” him. In the comments attributed to Hasselbeck, he framed Johnson as “larger-than-life,” emphasizing the presence that the running back carried in the building and in games. For Titans fans who watched Johnson run through defenses, the broader point was familiar, even if the context has changed: Johnson’s persona was bigger than the box score.

The former quarterback also leaned on the nickname that followed Johnson through his most productive seasons. Hasselbeck referred to Johnson as “Superman” for the Titans, underscoring how Johnson’s play style and charisma made him feel like more than just another backfield piece. Johnson’s role, according to the framing in the report, was not limited to touches, it extended to the identity of the unit, where he could shift momentum on a single run.

In a team sport built on routine, the gravity of a serious illness can feel sudden, even when the person is a veteran of the league’s toughest environments. ALS is progressive, and public figures who announce diagnoses often do so with the aim of reaching beyond personal privacy to offer visibility and support networks. Johnson’s decision to go public with the diagnosis placed the Titans chapter of his life in sharp focus, and it brought former teammates back into the conversation.

While Hasselbeck’s reaction was personal, it also reflected the bonds that form in the NFL’s tight time windows. Titans backfields are typically measured by production, but they are also remembered for what players do to raise the standard around them. Hasselbeck’s characterization of Johnson as “Superman” reads as a summary of how Johnson was regarded by the group, a reminder that teammates often measure each other by more than statistics.

For the Titans and the broader NFL community, the next period will likely be defined by attention to Johnson’s announcement rather than football news. The immediate watch point is whether Johnson’s status update leads to more public messages of support from other former Titans and NFL players, and whether it brings additional clarity around how he hopes to manage life with ALS. In the background, the football world will continue its offseason grind, but the headline and the attention will remain on Johnson’s health and the network of people who remember him as a standout.

This story also lands on the emotional side of sports culture, where illness can change how fans and players talk about legacy. Johnson is not being remembered only for his achievements, but for how strongly he resonated with teammates who saw him up close. Hasselbeck’s reaction, as reported, is one more report that when a former star goes through something this life-altering, the echoes do not fade with the jersey being hung up.