The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing with heavy hearts for the rest of the 2025 NFL Season. The organization announced that one of their long-time legends has tragically passed away.
He was 45-years-old at the time.
A Bengals legend who played 95 games for the team passes away just days before the team’s Week 4 contest
Tuesday morning, the football world lost a warrior when Rudi Johnson passed away. As a punishing running back, he left behind a legacy that went far beyond his impressive rushing statistics:
Johnson’s family confirmed the devastating news to reporters, though initial details remained scarce about what led to his death.
The silence only deepened the shock for teammates, fans, and coaches who flooded social media with tributes honoring the Auburn standout’s journey from underdog to NFL standout.
The full picture emerged later when TMZ reported that police had ruled Johnson’s death a suicide in Florida, occurring just after midnight Tuesday.
This revelation hit particularly hard given Johnson’s well-documented struggles with mental health in recent years, battles he faced while continuing his community work through the Rudi Johnson Foundation.
Johnson’s NFL story was one of pure determination after the Bengals drafted him in 2001. Following his SEC Player of the Year honors at Auburn, he claimed Cincinnati’s starting running back role by his third season and never looked back.
His 1,458 rushing yards in 2005 still stand as a franchise record, part of a remarkable peak that saw him accumulate over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Across his career, Johnson totaled 5,979 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 before wrapping up with Detroit in 2008. Persistent hamstring injuries ultimately shortened his time on the field, but his impact extended well beyond football through family and charitable endeavors.
Johnson’s passing serves as another stark reminder of the battles many former players face long after their final carry.
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