Tennessee Titans legend Chris Johnson revealed his ALS diagnosis on Good Morning America earlier this week, and the outpouring of support has led us back to a classic viral moment in internet history. Johnson, the most high-profile NFL player in history to contract the disease, is now spearheading a revival of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that took the internet by storm 12 years ago.

Titans fans have rallied around the former running back, with many donating $28 in honor of his iconic No. 28 jersey. Johnson’s camp initially set up a dedicated fundraising link through the benefiting ALS research, but now that effort is expanding to raise awareness through social media.

How the #CJ2KIceBucketChallenge is starting

The spark came from Hunter Mecum, a sports content creator on TikTok and Instagram, who filmed his own throwback ALS Ice Bucket Challenge this week in Johnson’s honor.

Johnson’s family caught wind of the video and posted it on his social channels. That moment of connection inspired the Johnson camp to try reigniting the challenge on a larger scale.

Johnson posted a message on social media that laid out the mission clearly:

“The support you’ve shown me over the last few days has meant more than I can put into words. Seeing this video reminded me of something powerful. Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge united millions of people around one cause and helped change the fight against this disease. Today, I’m asking you to help me do it again. Here’s how: take the #CJ2K Ice Bucket Challenge, challenge 3 friends, and donate to the BeCause Fundraising Community benefiting ALS research. If you’re able, tag me so I can share your videos. Let’s turn this moment into a movement and fight to end ALS.”

In his post, Johnson challenged three of his NFL friends to participate: former Titans running back LenDale White (the other half of the legendary “Smash and Dash” backfield in Tennessee), former Titan Adam “Pacman” Jones, and former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.

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The original Ice Bucket Challenge changed the fight against ALS

For those who need a refresher, the original ALS Ice Bucket Challenge exploded somewhat organically during the summer of 2014 as bigger social media presences, celebrities, and athletes jumped in. The premise was simple. You filmed a bucket of ice water being dumped on your head, challenged three people to do the same within 24 hours, and donated to ALS research. The vast majority of participants ended up doing both.

Over 17 million people participated worldwide, raising around $115 million for the ALS Association and related causes in 2014 alone. That represented a massive surge from prior years of fundraising. Those funds supported research, care services, and clinical trials, but perhaps just as importantly, the campaign made ALS a household term for millions of people who had limited awareness of the disease before.

Every dollar counts in an underfunded fight

ALS research remains woefully underfunded relative to the severity of the disease, which makes campaigns like this one all the more critical. The donations flooding in from Titans fans speak to how much Johnson meant to this franchise and this city.

The bottom line is that Chris Johnson has a platform, a passionate fan base, and a cause that deserves every ounce of attention it can get. If the original challenge proved anything, it’s that viral momentum can be harnessed for meaningful progress. Hopefully Johnson can inspire a second wave 12 years later, because any amount of money and awareness brought to the fight to treat and cure ALS is worth a little trouble (and maybe getting a little bit cold).