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Tenn. man discovers he has former Titan Chris Johnson’s old cell phone number, as messages of support pour in
By Robb Coles at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 7, 2026
· 2 min read
Chris Johnson's supporters were sending messages of support after his ALS diagnosis, but some were going to a stranger in Murfreesboro. That stranger made sure they got through.When Chris Johnson announced last week that he is battling ALS, an outpouring of support followed. But many of those mes...
Key takeaway When Chris Johnson announced last week that he is battling ALS, an outpouring of support followed.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The outpouring of support for former Titan Chris Johnson after his ALS diagnosis is a testament to the strong bonds between Nashville 's football community and its players. William Ray, the Murfreesboro man who unknowingly acquired Johnson's old cell phone number, has become an unlikely conduit for these messages of support. As Ray works to forward these messages to Johnson's family, his actions demonstrate the kindness and generosity that defines Middle Tennessee's community. The fact that Ray is a huge football fan who admired Johnson's playing career adds a touching layer to this story, highlighting the personal connections that fans make with athletes. With Johnson's family now raising awareness for ALS by reviving the ice bucket challenge, Nashville residents can expect to see a renewed focus on this important cause in the coming weeks, and Ray's selfless actions will likely inspire others to get involved.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Chris Johnson's supporters were sending messages of support after his ALS diagnosis, but some were going to a stranger in Murfreesboro. That stranger made sure they got through.When Chris Johnson announced last week that he is battling ALS, an outpouring of support followed. But many of those mes...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Robb Coles at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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