Titans Ownership, Front Office Take Ice Bucket Challenge to Back Chris Johnson’s ALS Fight
Tennessee Titans ownership and front-office leadership dumped buckets of ice water on themselves this week, joining a wave of support for former running back Chris Johnson as he battles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS.
The team posted video of the event on X on Tuesday, captioned “Proud to join the Ice Bucket Challenge in support of @ChrisJohnson28,” and pointed fans toward a fundraising link for ALS research.
Proud to join the Ice Bucket Challenge in support of @ChrisJohnson28 🩵
Join us in donating to ALS research at https://t.co/Y88S2t88M1 pic.twitter.com/zKvIokkeSa
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) July 28, 2026
According to Fox 17 Nashville, the challenge took place July 24 at the Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, board co-chairman Kenneth Adams IV, general manager Mike Borgonzi, team president and CEO Burke Nihill, and head coach Robert Saleh were among those who took part.
Strunk sat calmly in a chair as staff and a group of kids in Titans jerseys hoisted orange coolers overhead and let the water fly. Saleh, seated next to her, got the full soak — head back, laughing through it, the crowd around them cheering as the water hit.
Johnson’s ALS Diagnosis and the Challenge’s Return
Johnson revealed his diagnosis publicly in late June on “Good Morning America,” according to Axios Nashville. He later disclosed on Instagram that doctors had actually identified the disease a year earlier, when he was 39. ALS is a progressive condition that affects movement, speech, swallowing and breathing.
Rather than stay quiet, Johnson asked people to bring back the viral fundraising campaign that first swept the country in 2014 and raised roughly $220 million for ALS research worldwide, per TMZ. He coined the hashtag #cj2kicebucketchallenge for people posting their own videos.
The response came fast. Former Titans teammates and other NFL figures — including Adrian Peterson, Charles Woodson and Keith Willis — filmed their own tributes on July 17, according to WSMV Nashville. Marshawn Lynch and LenDale White also joined, with Lynch calling the water “hella cold” before adding he was fully behind Johnson regardless.
A Titans Legacy Beyond the Field
Johnson was Tennessee’s first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and spent six seasons with the franchise before later stops elsewhere. He remains one of the most productive backs in franchise history. In 2009, he rushed for 2,006 yards, becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to clear 2,000 yards rushing in a season, while also setting the league record for total yards from scrimmage at 2,509, per Fox 17.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Johnson is set to be inducted into the Titans Ring of Honor at halftime of the franchise’s 2026 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13 at Nissan Stadium. His family has pointed to his community work off the field as well, including annual toy drives and back-to-school events for children in need, according to Fox 17.
The Titans are directing fans and other NFL organizations to donate to ALS research through TennesseeTitans.com/CJ2K.