Former NFL running back Rudi Johnson, who starred for the Cincinnati Bengals, died this week. He was 45 years old.
Johnson, the SEC Player of the Year and an All-American running back at Auburn, does not have an official cause of death.
The former NFL star had a heartbreaking message go viral days before his passing.
A former NFL star running back who died at 45 years old this week had a heartbreaking message days before his death.
Rudi Johnson, who starred in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, played for the team from 2001-07 and is among the top rushers in franchise history. Johnson finished his career with 5,979 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowler in 2004.
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“Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us,” said 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.”
CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 07: A general view of Paul Brown Stadium during the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 7, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Tyler Barrick/Getty Images)
Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick out of Auburn in 2001, is No. 4 on the Bengals’ all-time rushing list. He had 1454 yards in his 2004 Pro Bowl season, the second most of any player in team history.
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TMZ Sports confirmed his passing on Tuesday.
“A cause of death is not yet known … but we’re told he had been recently struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome,” TMZ Sports reported.
“The family source says prior to his death, Johnson was doing everything he could to help people on and off the field … and that’s what mattered most to him.”
Rudi Johnson’s heartbreaking final message
Johnson gave a speech days before his death, ultimately sending everyone a heartbreaking final message.
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The former NFL star gave an acceptance speech for his induction into the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. During the speech, Johnson told kids in attendance to “shoot for the stars” and “never give up.”
Johnson wasn’t able to attend the ceremony in person, but he gave a speech via a video.
“I just want to say, dream big,” the former Cincinnati Bengals tailback said. “Shoot for the stars. Stay focused. Never give up. And one more thing, to all the kids from Chesterfield County, I’ll be watching for the next star to be born.”
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Less than a week later, Johnson was found dead.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.