East Carolina Will Honor Chris Johnson with Special Helmet Decal Throughout the 2026 Season
East Carolina football will carry one of its greatest players onto the field all season long.
ECU announced that the Pirates will wear a special helmet decal throughout the 2026 football season in honor of former running back Chris Johnson as he courageously battles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Johnson recently shared that he has been diagnosed with sporadic ALS. Since making his diagnosis public, the ECU legend has used his platform to raise awareness for the disease while offering hope and encouragement to others affected by ALS.
"Chris is a Pirate legend, but more importantly, he is a special member of the ECU family, and we want him to know that Pirate Nation is with him every step of the way," ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert said in the school's announcement.
Head coach Blake Harrell echoed that message, emphasizing that Johnson's impact extends far beyond what he accomplished on the football field.
"Chris Johnson will forever be a Pirate, and when one of our own faces a challenge like this, we stand together as one Pirate family," Harrell said. "Every time our team takes the field this season, we will proudly carry his name and his fight with us."
The commemorative decal will be worn on every ECU helmet throughout the season alongside the team's American flag and American Athletic Conference decals.
Johnson remains one of the most accomplished players in East Carolina history. Wearing No. 5 from 2004–07, he finished his collegiate career third on the school's all-time rushing list and first in all-purpose yards, while setting 18 school records across single-game, season, and career categories.
ECU will debut the helmet decal when the Pirates open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Alabama.
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