Titans legend Chris Johnson makes Hall of Fame case amid ALS battle, and voters must do the right thing

Johnson finished his career with 9,651 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns, but his peak is what makes his Hall of Fame argument so compelling. Chris Johnson knows exactly where he believes his NFL career belongs. The Tennessee Titans legend recently discussed his Hall of Fame candidacy with Sports Illustrated and made it clear that earning a gold jacket remains one of the honors that matters most to him. 'I do believe I belong in the Hall of Fame,' Johnson told Sports Illustrated. 'When I look at what I accomplished during my career, I think I've earned the right to be part of that conversation.' He's absolutely right. Johnson finished his career with 9,651 rushing yards and 64 total touchdowns, but his peak is what makes his Hall of Fame argument so compelling. Nobody has forgotten CJ2K. Johnson produced one of the greatest seasons by a running back in NFL history in 2009, rushing for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He added 503 receiving yards to finish with an NFL record of 2,509 yards from scrimmage. Seventeen years later, nobody has broken that record. Johnson also began his career with six consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with Tennessee. At his best, he wasn't simply one of the NFL's fastest players. He was one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in football. Article Continues Below 'Every kid who grows up playing football dreams about making the Hall of Fame,' Johnson said. 'I've spent my whole life working for that, so of course it's important.' His résumé should already be enough. But Johnson's ongoing battle with ALS makes the continued wait especially difficult to accept. Johnson revealed his diagnosis earlier this year, providing heartbreaking context to why he wants more time with his family and why football accomplishments understandably aren't the most important thing in his life anymore. His illness shouldn't be the reason voters put him in Canton. But voters shouldn't wait until it's too late to honor a player whose career already warrants serious consideration. Johnson believes he's a Hall of Famer. His numbers provide a legitimate argument. Now it's time for the voters to do the right thing and give CJ2K his gold jacket.