Losing a Son to Deadly Disease Hit Emotional Ernie Johnson With Uplifting Realization

A few years ago, Ernie Johnson lost his son Michael Johnson to muscular dystrophy. Michael was 33 years old when he tragically passed away in 2021. Having battled a terminal illness himself and then losing a son at such a young age, Ernie has been through a lot, but nothing has shaken or changed his mindset about life.

The media veteran still has a positive outlook on life, enjoys the experiences that his life brings, and believes that he is the product of the hardships that he has been through in his life.

Ernie was recently in conversation with Andre Iguodala on his podcast. The 67-year-old stated the difference between who he is as a person and what people often see him as on Inside the NBA show. He said, “This job is not who I am it’s what I do.” Ernie said that people often recognize him as “The TNT guy” but he said that there’s so much more to him than just the job title. He said, “I’m a father of six, I got five grandkids, that’s who I am. And also who I am is the things that I deal with.” Ernie explained how his own battle with cancer and then his son’s muscular dystrophy among several other things shaped him as a person.

He said, “Cheryl and I lost a son. We lost Michael a couple of years ago and he lived this remarkable life of 33 years. Eventually, it was muscular dystrophy that took him from us, but…those are the things that make you who you are, and what you must do.”

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Ernie Johnson’s best friends paid tribute to Michael Johnson

After Michael’s passing, Adam Lefkoe started the episode by saying, “Here at Turner, it’s family first, and our family’s hearts are heavy. Late last week Ernie Johnson’s son Michael, who battled Duchenne muscular dystrophy his entire life, passed away at 33 years old.” Ernie’s longtime friends and co-workers on the TNT show, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith also paid their tribute to the 33-year-old Michael and his family.

Shaq said, “We’re hurting right now, because Ernie is a brother. He’s more than a brother to me.” Kenny said that Michael had something very charming about him and that would require everyone’s attention. He said, “To see him when Ernie would bring him — he and his wife they would come around with Michael — we always talk about lighting up a room. It’s a gravitational pull.” “To adopt a kid and have to do all the things that they did. My admiration for them grows,” Barkley said, saluting the courage and strength of the Johnsons.

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