Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
Former Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl running back Rudi Johnson died Tuesday. He was 45.
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The Bengals confirmed Johnson’s death, though did not provide any details.
In a statement, team president Mike Brown called Johnson a “fine person” and a “dear friend.”
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office told NBC News it is investigating Johnson’s death, with detective Joseph Peguero saying “All indications are leading to suicide.” No foul play is reportedly suspected.
Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, reportedly told NBC News he hopes Johnson’s death will spur more research into CTE, a degenerative disease that has been a factor in several past NFL suicides:
“These tragic circumstances must also serve as a call to action,” Schaffer said in a statement. “The NFL and the scientific community must do more — more research into CTE, more innovation into how we can treat it, prevent it, and provide support to those living with it. Players past, present, and future deserve nothing less.”
Because CTE can only be diagnosed in an autopsy, it is not confirmed if Johnson had it.
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Rudi Johnson holds Bengals single-season rushing record
Johnson, a fourth-round selection by the Bengals in the 2001 NFL Draft, mostly sat on the bench his first two seasons in the league. Injuries to starter Corey Dillon pushed Johnson into more work in his third season. He delivered. Johnson rushed for 957 yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns in just 215 attempts in 2003.
Dillon was traded in the offseason, paving the way for Johnson to start in 2004. He went on to deliver three straight fantastic seasons. From 2004 to 2006, Johnson averaged 1,407 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He made his first — and only — Pro Bowl in 2004. That season, Johnson rushed for 1,454 yards, a franchise record. He broke that record the following season, rushing for 1,458 yards. That record still stands.
The Bengals reached the playoffs that season, but fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round. Johnson scored a touchdown in the loss.
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Injuries took a toll on Johnson in 2007, limiting him to 11 games. He struggled when healthy, gaining 497 yards on 170 attempts. Johnson was cut by the Bengals in training camp the next season. He was picked up by the Detroit Lions, where he received 76 rushing attempts in his final season in the NFL.
Johnson appeared at Paul Brown Stadium in 2016 as part of the team’s Legends Weekend. He said it was the first time he returned to the team following his 2008 release.
Johnson’s teammate, receiver Chad Johnson, paid tribute to the running back on X on Tuesday.
The pair overlapped in Cincinnati throughout Rudi’s tenure with the franchise. Both Rudy and Chad joined the Bengals as part of the same draft, with the team taking Chad in the second round in 2001.
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