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Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson celebrates after scoring against the Buffalo Bills on Dec.
4, 2011.
(Rick Stewart / Getty Images) Former NFL running back Chris Johnson has issued a challenge to his family, friends and fans one that could quite literally send a chill down the spine of those who remember a certain viral trend from more than a decade ago.
A quick refresher: A social media sensation went viral in 2014, involving people posting videos of themselves having a bucket of ice water poured over their heads and challenging others, by name, to do the same.
The trend was often referred to as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge because many folks used the videos to raise awareness for and funding to help fight the degenerative neurological disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease.
Read more: Ex-NFL star Chris Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis: 'You can give up, or you can fight.
I chose to fight' Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who holds the NFL record for most yards from scrimmage in a single season, on Tuesday revealed on Good Morning America that he has been diagnosed with ALS.
Soon after, former Utah basketball player and sports content creator Hunter Mecum posted a video on Instagram in which he dumped a large bowl of ice water on himself in Johnsons honor.
That video inspired Johnson to bring the movement back.
Man..
the love yall have shown me these last few days really [means] more than you know.
Me and my family appreciate every prayer, message and every bit of support, Johnson wrote on Wednesday on Instagram.
After seeing @huntermecum video, Im asking yall to help me with something.
Lets bring back the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Grab a bucket, challenge 3 people and if you can, donate to help fund ALS research.
Read more: Why Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan has 'K ALS' stitched into his glove Johnson included a link in his bio to a fundraiser for ALS research set up in his honor.
As of Thursday morning, it had raised more than $32,000.
The retired player known as CJ2K also called on three people to accept the ice bucket challenge ex-Tennessee Titans teammate LenDale White and fellow former NFL greats Marshawn Lynch and Adam Pacman Jones.
So far, White and Lynch have accepted Johnsons challenge.
Lynch, the former star running back for the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders, obliged by getting hailed on by a bucket of ice.
Read more: Understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Signs, Diagnosis, and the Path Forward White, who was Johnsons Smash and Dash counterpart in the Titans backfield, took the traditional ice water route and nominated former NFL players Deion Sanders , Vince Young and Michael Sims-Walker, who was on hand at the time and accepted the challenge in a separate video.
Johnson also posted a video of his daughter Honey Love taking the challenge, with White handling the ice-bucket duty.
She nominated her brothers and former Lakers superstar LeBron James.
James hasnt yet responded, but he was one of the many celebrities who took part in the original challenge 12 years ago.
Others included Kobe Bryant (who submerged himself in an ice tub ), Shaquille ONeal (who humorously poured one drop of water on his head) and Donald Trump ( who joked he was nominated because they want to see whether or not its my real hair, which it is).
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .