Bengals owner Mike Brown said the organization is “deeply saddened” after former star running back Rudi Johnson’s reported death by suicide on Tuesday at the age of 45.
Johnson played for the Bengals from 2001-07 and is the team’s single-season rushing yards leader.
“Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us,” Brown said in a statement. “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 died in Florida shortly after midnight Tuesday, cops told TMZ.
The former Auburn standout had been “recently struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome,” TMZ reported.
Johnson spent seven of his eight years in the NFL with the Bengals after being selected in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
He emerged as one of the NFL’s best running backs in the mid 2000s, tallying at least 1,300 rushing yards and 12 exact rushing touchdowns in each season from 2004-06.
Johnson’s 2004 campaign, in which he rushed for 1,454 yards and 12 scores, earned him his lone Pro Bowl honor of his career.
His’s 1,458-yard 2005 campaign is the best in team history, followed by his 2004 performance, and his 2006 season with 1,309 rushing yards ranks sixth.
Johnson’s 5,742 yards ranks fourth in team history behind Corey Dillon, James Brooks and Joe Mixon, in that respective order, and he ranks third in franchise history in rushing touchdowns.
He finished his career with the 0-16 Lions in 2008.
Former teammate Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson, who played alongside Johnson during the latter’s entire Bengals tenure, tweeted: “R.I.P Rudi Johnson ????️.”
Johnson joined the Bengals following an incredible season with Auburn in which he won SEC Player of the Year after rushing for 1,567 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“We mourn the loss of 2000 SEC Player of the Year Rudi Johnson. One of the best to ever wear the orange and blue,” Auburn posted to its football account.
“Rudi’s family, friends & teammates are in our prayers. #WarEagle.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.