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Former NFL linebacker Tim Shaw diagnosed with ALS

Former Tennessee Titans linebacker Tim Shaw announced he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Former NFL linebacker Tim Shaw announced Tuesday that he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“A year ago I was playing NFL football,” Shaw said in a video released by the Tennessee Titans in connection with the Ice Bucket Challenge. “I’ve recently been diagnosed with ALS. … I’m here today to stand up and fight with all of you against this disease.”

Shaw is at least the eighth former NFL player currently living with the disease.

The 30-year-old played six seasons for the Titans, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers.

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The only previous NFL player diagnosed with the disease at this young an age was Glenn Montgomery. He received the news at age 30 in 1997 before dying the following year.

The ALS Assn. estimates that 5,600 people in the U.S. receive the diagnosis each year.

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