Former Pro Bowl running back Rudi Johnson — a three-time 1,000-yard rusher who holds multiple Cincinnati Bengals records — died of an apparent suicide, Florida authorities said Tuesday, as his agent called for more resources to combat CTE.
The 45-year-old Johnson’s death is being investigated by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, though “no foul play suspected,” according to an agency statement.
“All indications are leading to suicide,” Detective Joseph Peguero told NBC News.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to call in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida at about 11:13 EDT on Monday to treat and transport an “adult trauma alert patient,” the agency said.
While Miami-Dade Fire Rescue declined to name the patient, citing HIPPA protections, the address for this call appears to correspond with Johnson’s home listed in public records.
“Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us,” according to a statement from Bengals president Mike Brown. “He was dependable and productive as a player, and very popular among his teammates. Everyone liked him and saw him as a dear friend. We are deeply saddened by his passing.”
Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, said he hopes the running back’s passing will spur more research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.
“These tragic circumstances must also serve as a call to action,” Schaffer said a in 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.”
A cause of death was not announced.
Johnson was picked in the fourth round, No. 100 overall, in the 2001 NFL draft out of Auburn.
He saw little playing time in his first two years, playing in nine games with no starts, sitting behind Pro Bowl runner Corey Dillon.
But then in 2003 Johnson made five starts in 13 games, rushing for 957 yards, nine touchdowns and a career-best 4.5 yards per carry.
He then played in all 16 games of Cincinnati’s next three seasons, rushing for 1,454, 1,458 and 1,309 yards, respectively, in those campaigns.
Johnson, a 2004 Pro Bowl selection, ran for a dozen touchdowns in each of those three seasons.
Those 1,400-yard-plus seasons are the top two single-season totals by any Bengals runner and his 1,309-yard campaign is No. 6 in franchise history. Johnson’s 48 rushing TDs with the Bengals is No. 3 on the club’s all-time list, trailing only Pete Johnson and Joe Mixon.
Johnson helped Cincinnati to the 2005 AFC North title before the Bengals fell short in the playoffs, losing to division rival Pittsburgh, 31-17, in the wildcard round.
Hamstring injuries slowed him down in 2007 when he only rushed for 497 yards and a career-low 2.9 yards per carry. The Bengals released Johnson, who then played in 14 games for the Detroit Lions in 2008, his last campaign in the NFL.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of our friend and client, Rudi Johnson. Rudi lived his life in the service of others,” Schaffer said. “He was a man who disdained self-promotion and avoided the spotlight of social media, yet his presence was always felt through his positivity, energy, and generosity.”
The agent continued: “It has been one of the greatest honors of my career and my life to call him both a client and a friend. His legacy will not be measured by statistics or accolades, but by the countless lives he touched and the love he gave so freely.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org, to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
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