The Tennessee Titans confirmed Friday that while Sunday’s season-opening halftime will still be devoted to “CJ2K,” Chris Johnson’s formal Ring of Honor induction has been delayed.
The team said “unforeseen circumstances” have prevented Johnson and his family from traveling to Nashville for the Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets, so the official ceremony will be pushed to a later date. The Titans added that the halftime presentation will nevertheless celebrate Johnson’s on-field accomplishments and that the organization and its fans are thinking of him and his wife, Brittany.
Johnson, who turned 41 on Sept. 23, announced in June that he is living with ALS. He rose to fame after rushing for more than 2,000 yards in a single season — a rare feat achieved by just nine players — during the 2009 campaign, his second year in the league after being selected 24th overall out of East Carolina. While with Tennessee he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in six different seasons and totaled 58 touchdowns in that span. He finished a 10-year NFL career with stops in New York and Arizona but is best remembered for his time with the Titans, where he made three Pro Bowls.
Johnson’s 2009 season not only led the league in rushing but also earned him first-team All-Pro honors and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award; he amassed 2,509 scrimmage yards that year, a single-season NFL mark. This summer he spoke about his ALS diagnosis on Good Morning America with Michael Strahan, communicating through an eye-controlled speech device. Johnson said he has chosen to keep fighting, pursuing experimental treatments and helping raise awareness — including reviving the Ice Bucket Challenge — to support ALS research.
The Titans had announced in July that they planned to induct Johnson into their Ring of Honor during the Jets game, with owner Amy Adams Strunk praising both his statistical achievements and the person behind them and saying he holds a special place with the team and its fans.
Fan take: This matters because it spotlights a beloved former star confronting a devastating illness and reminds NFL fans that players’ legacies extend beyond statistics. The postponement and continued recognition at halftime keep attention on Johnson’s impact and could help drive greater awareness and support for ALS research across the league and its fanbase.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
