Former Football Player Chris Johnson Has ALS

A2

Former Football Player Chris Johnson Has ALS

前美式足球員 Chris Johnson 患有 ALS


Introduction

Chris Johnson played professional football. He now has a serious illness called ALS.

Chris Johnson 曾是一名職業美式足球員,他現在患有一種稱為 ALS 的嚴重疾病。

Main Body

Chris Johnson is 40 years old. He found out he had ALS in 2025. He cannot speak now. He uses a special computer and his eyes to talk.

Chris Johnson 今年 40 歲。他在 2025 年發現自己患有 ALS。他現在無法說話,使用一台特殊的電腦和他的眼睛來溝通。

His old football teams are sad. The Tennessee Titans and other teams sent messages of support. Chris was a very great player for many years.

他以前的美式足球隊都感到很悲傷。田納西泰坦隊和其他球隊發送了支持訊息。多年來,Chris 一直是一位非常優秀的球員。

Some people think football causes this illness. Doctors say football players get ALS more often than other men. This happens because they hit their heads many times during games.

有些人認為美式足球會導致這種疾病。醫生表示美式足球員患 ALS 的機率比其他男性高。這是因為他們在比賽過程中頭部多次受到撞擊。

Conclusion

Chris is now in a medical study to help his illness.

Chris 現在正在參與一項醫療研究以幫助治療他的疾病。

Vocabulary Learning

👁️ The Power of 'CAN' and 'CANNOT'

In this story, we see how to talk about what is possible and what is impossible. This is a key skill for A2 English.

The Pattern:

  • Can = Yes, it is possible ✅
  • Cannot = No, it is impossible ❌

From the Text:

  • "He cannot speak now" → He is unable to talk.
  • "He uses a computer... to talk" → This is how he can communicate.

🕒 Time Shifts: Then vs. Now

Notice how the words change when we talk about the past compared to today:

Past (Finished)Present (Now)
Played → Chris played footballHas → He has an illness
Was → Chris was a great playerIs → Chris is 40 years old

Quick Tip: When you see -ed at the end of a word (like played), it usually means the action is over. When you see is or has, it is happening right now.

Vocabulary Learning

professional (adj.)
Doing something as a job to earn money
Example:She is a professional tennis player.
serious (adj.)
Very bad or dangerous
Example:The car accident was very serious.
illness (n.)
A sickness or a health problem
Example:He missed school because of a sudden illness.
support (n.)
Help or encouragement given to someone
Example:My family gave me a lot of support during the exam.
causes (v.)
Makes something happen
Example:Smoking causes many health problems.
medical (adj.)
Related to the science of medicine or healing
Example:The patient needs immediate medical help.
study (n.)
A detailed investigation or analysis of something
Example:The scientists are doing a study on new medicines.
B2

Former NFL Player Chris Johnson Diagnosed with ALS

前 NFL 球員 Chris Johnson 確診患有 ALS


Introduction

Former professional football player Chris Johnson has announced that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

前職業美式足球員 Chris Johnson 宣布他確診患有肌萎縮性側索硬化(ALS)。

Main Body

The announcement was made during a broadcast of 'Good Morning America' on June 29, 2026. Mr. Johnson, who is 40 years old, explained that he was diagnosed in 2025. He stated that he has sporadic ALS, which means the disease was not inherited from his family. Because the condition has affected his ability to speak, he now uses a special device that allows him to communicate using his eye movements. According to the ALS Association, the disease is caused by a mix of genetic, environmental, and work-related factors, although a single cause has not yet been found.

此消息於 2026 年 6 月 29 日的《Good Morning America》節目中公布。現年 40 歲的 Johnson 先生解釋,他在 2025 年確診。他表示自己患有散發性 ALS,這意味著該疾病並非遺傳自家庭。由於病情影響了他的說話能力,他現在使用一種特殊設備,透過眼球運動來溝通。根據 ALS 協會的說法,該疾病是由基因、環境和工作相關因素共同引起,儘管尚未發現單一原因。

Many organizations have expressed their support for Mr. Johnson. The Tennessee Titans, through owner Amy Adams Strunk, praised his past contributions to the team. Similarly, the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Jets, and the NFL Players Association shared their support. During his career, Mr. Johnson achieved great success, including a record-breaking 2,006-yard rushing season in 2009, while playing 130 games for the Titans, Jets, and Cardinals.

許多組織對 Johnson 先生表達了支持。田納賽泰坦隊(Tennessee Titans)透過老闆 Amy Adams Strunk 讚揚他過去對球隊的貢獻。同樣地,亞利桑那紅雀隊(Arizona Cardinals)、紐約噴射機隊(New York Jets)以及 NFL 球員協會也分享了支持。在職業生涯中,Johnson 先生取得了巨大的成功,包括在 2009 年創下單季 2,006 碼衝球紀錄,他在泰坦隊、噴射機隊和紅雀隊共出賽 130 場。

At the same time, this news has started a conversation about the link between professional football and brain diseases. Sportswriter Jeff Pearlman emphasized that the media did not sufficiently discuss how the sport relates to ALS. Furthermore, data from Boston University’s CTE Center from 2021 shows that professional football players are four times more likely to develop and die from ALS than the average man. Experts believe this is likely a result of repeated head injuries and impacts during their careers.

與此同時,這則新聞引發了關於職業美式足球與腦部疾病之間聯繫的討論。體育記者 Jeff Pearlman 強調,媒體對於該項運動如何與 ALS 相關的討論不足。此外,波士頓大學 CTE 中心 2021 年的數據顯示,職業美式足球員患上 ALS 並因此死亡的可能性比一般男性高出四倍。專家認為,這很可能是職業生涯中反覆頭部受傷和衝擊的結果。

Conclusion

Mr. Johnson is currently taking part in a clinical trial while he manages the ongoing effects of the disease.

Johnson 先生目前正參與臨床試驗,同時應對該疾病持續產生的影響。

Vocabulary Learning

The 'Connecting' Secret: Moving Beyond Simple Sentences

At the A2 level, we usually write short, choppy sentences. "He has ALS. He uses a device." To reach B2, you must learn to weave these ideas together using Complex Connectors.

Look at these specific triggers from the text:

1. The 'Adding Detail' Shift: Furthermore Instead of saying "Also," the text uses Furthermore. This is a high-level way to add a second, stronger point to an argument.

  • A2: He is sick. Also, football is dangerous.
  • B2: He has been diagnosed with ALS. Furthermore, data shows football players are at higher risk.

2. The 'Comparing' Bridge: Similarly When two different groups do the same thing, don't just use "and." Use Similarly to show a pattern.

  • Example: The Titans praised him. Similarly, the Arizona Cardinals shared their support.

3. The 'Cause and Effect' Logic: Due to / As a result of B2 fluency requires explaining why something happens without always using "because."\n- Text Analysis: The text mentions the disease is "a result of repeated head injuries."

  • Pro Tip: Swap "Because of" for "As a result of" to sound more academic and professional.

Quick Vocabulary Upgrade: From Basic to B2

A2 WordB2 Alternative from TextWhy it's better
SaidEmphasizedShows the strength of the statement.
HelpContributionsMore formal; describes a professional impact.
FoundDiagnosedPrecise medical terminology.

Vocabulary Learning

diagnosed (v.)
To identify a medical condition or illness by examining the symptoms
Example:The doctor diagnosed him with a rare vitamin deficiency after reviewing the blood tests.
sporadic (adj.)
Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; not steady or continuous
Example:The region experienced sporadic outbreaks of the flu throughout the winter.
inherited (v.)
To derive a characteristic, quality, or disease from one's parents through genetics
Example:She inherited her father's blue eyes and musical talent.
contributions (n.)
Something given or done to help achieve a goal or improve a situation
Example:The company recognized her significant contributions to the project's success.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of reviewing the notes before the final exam.
sufficiently (adv.)
In a way that is enough or adequate for a particular purpose
Example:The room was not sufficiently lit for the artist to see the fine details of the painting.
clinical trial (n.)
A research study conducted with human participants to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new medical treatment
Example:The new medication is currently in a clinical trial to determine if it reduces blood pressure.
C2

Clinical Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Former NFL Athlete Chris Johnson

前 NFL 運動員 Chris Johnson 診斷患上肌萎縮性側索硬化症


Introduction

Former professional football player Chris Johnson has publicly disclosed a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

前職業美式足球員 Chris Johnson 已公開透露其被診斷患上肌萎縮性側索硬化症 (ALS)。

Main Body

The announcement was formalized during a broadcast of 'Good Morning America' on June 29, 2026. Mr. Johnson, aged 40, reported that his diagnosis occurred in 2025. He characterized his condition as sporadic ALS, noting an absence of familial predisposition. The pathology has progressed to the point of necessitating a speech-generating device operated via ocular movement, as the disease has compromised his vocal capabilities. The ALS Association attributes the etiology of the condition to a combination of genetic, environmental, and occupational factors, though a definitive singular cause remains elusive.

此消息於 2026 年 6 月 29 日的《Good Morning America》節目中正式公布。40 歲的 Johnson 先生表示,他在 2025 年被診斷患病。他將自己的情況描述為散發性 ALS,並指出並無家族遺傳傾向。由於病況已影響其發聲能力,目前必須使用透過眼球運動操作的語言產生裝置。ALS 協會將此病之病因歸結為基因、環境與職業因素的綜合影響,儘管目前尚未找到單一的決定性原因。

Institutional responses have been characterized by expressions of support. The Tennessee Titans organization, via owner Amy Adams Strunk, acknowledged Mr. Johnson's historical contributions to the franchise. Similar sentiments were conveyed by the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Jets, and the NFL Players Association. Mr. Johnson's professional tenure included significant statistical achievements, most notably a 2,006-yard rushing season in 2009, across 130 career games with the Titans, Jets, and Cardinals.

相關機構的反應以表達支持為主。田納賽泰坦隊透過老闆 Amy Adams Strunk,肯定了 Johnson 先生對球隊的歷史貢獻。亞利桑那紅雀隊、紐約噴射機隊以及 NFL 球員協會也表達了類似的情感。Johnson 先生的職業生涯擁有顯著的數據成就,最著名的是 2009 年單季衝球 2,006 碼,他在泰坦隊、噴射機隊與紅雀隊共參與了 130 場比賽。

Concurrent with this disclosure, a discourse has emerged regarding the correlation between professional football and neurodegenerative pathologies. Sportswriter Jeff Pearlman asserted that media coverage of the diagnosis failed to address the link between the sport and ALS. Conversely, data from Boston University’s CTE Center, released in 2021, indicates that professional football players exhibit a fourfold increase in the likelihood of developing and succumbing to ALS compared to the general adult male population. This disparity is hypothesized to be a consequence of repetitive traumatic brain injuries and cranial impacts.

隨此披露而來的,是關於職業美式足球與神經退行性病變之間相關性的討論。體育記者 Jeff Pearlman 主張,媒體對此次診斷的報導未能提及該項運動與 ALS 之間的聯繫。相反,波士頓大學 CTE 中心於 2021 年發布的數據顯示,職業美式足球員患上並死於 ALS 的可能性是普通成年男性的四倍。據推測,這種差異是重複性創傷性腦損傷與頭部撞擊的結果。

Conclusion

Mr. Johnson is currently participating in a clinical trial while managing the progressive effects of the disease.

Johnson 先生目前正參與一項臨床試驗,同時應對疾病帶來的漸進影響。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Clinical Detachment: Nominalization and Passive Agency

To transition from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond 'clear communication' and master rhetorical distance. The provided text is a masterclass in Clinical Detachment—a linguistic mode where the author deliberately obscures human emotion and direct action to project an aura of objective, scientific authority.

◈ The Power of Nominalization

Observe the transformation of verbs (actions) into nouns (concepts). This is the hallmark of C2 academic prose. Instead of saying "The organization supported him," the text uses:

"Institutional responses have been characterized by expressions of support."

Analysis: By turning 'support' into a 'response' and an 'expression,' the writer removes the active human element. We are no longer looking at people helping a man; we are observing a phenomenon of institutional reaction.

C2 Pivot: Replace "The disease started because..." with "The etiology of the condition is attributed to..."

◈ Lexical Precision: The 'Latent' Vocabulary

C2 mastery requires the use of words that encapsulate complex processes in a single term. Note the following selections:

  • Etiology: Not just 'cause,' but the study of the cause.
  • Predisposition: Not just 'likelihood,' but an inherent susceptibility.
  • Concurrent: Not just 'at the same time,' but coexisting in a structured timeline.
  • Elusive: Not just 'hard to find,' but evading definitive capture.

◈ Syntactic Density and the 'Passive-Objective' Voice

Look at the construction: "This disparity is hypothesized to be a consequence of..."

In B2 English, we see: "Scientists think this happened because..." In C2 English, the 'scientists' disappear entirely. The hypothesis itself becomes the subject. This creates an 'Objective Voice' where the truth seems to exist independently of the person stating it. This is essential for high-level academic writing, legal briefs, and medical reporting.


Key Takeaway for the C2 Aspirant: To sound more sophisticated, stop describing who is doing what and start describing what is occurring as a conceptual event.

Vocabulary Learning

predisposition (n.)
A liability or tendency to suffer from a particular condition, typically genetic.
Example:The patient's familial predisposition to hypertension necessitated early preventative screenings.
pathology (n.)
The science of the causes and effects of diseases, or the manifestation of a particular disease.
Example:The cellular pathology revealed significant degradation of the myelin sheath.
etiology (n.)
The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition.
Example:Researchers are still debating the exact etiology of the autoimmune disorder.
elusive (adj.)
Difficult to find, achieve, or define precisely.
Example:Despite decades of research, a definitive cure for the virus remains elusive.
tenure (n.)
The period of time during which a person holds a particular job or office.
Example:During her tenure as CEO, the company expanded its operations into three new continents.
concurrent (adj.)
Happening or done at the same time.
Example:The government launched a concurrent investigation into the financial irregularities of the firm.
discourse (n.)
Written or spoken communication or debate on a particular subject.
Example:The academic discourse surrounding climate change has shifted toward urgent mitigation strategies.
succumbing (v.)
To fail to resist pressure, temptation, or a disease; to die from a specified cause.
Example:Many patients in the study ended up succumbing to the infection despite aggressive treatment.
disparity (n.)
A great difference or inequality between two or more things.
Example:The economic disparity between the urban center and the rural outskirts is stark.
hypothesized (v.)
Put forward a tentative explanation or theory as a starting point for further investigation.
Example:The scientists hypothesized that the increase in temperature would accelerate the chemical reaction.
Practice All words in a crossword