Former Bengals player Rudy Johnson passed away at the age of 45
23 september 2025 в 20:37
Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudy Johnson passed away on September 23, 2025. He was 45 years old. The cause of death of the former NFL player is now of wide interest among fans, as reports indicate that the late athlete had been struggling with mental health in his final days.
Just a few days before he was found dead, Johnson appeared in a pre-recorded message for the Chesterfield Hall of Fame, which was shown at his induction. He urged others to «never give up».
«I just want to say, dream big, reach for the stars, stay focused, never give up», - Johnson said in the message, according to WTVR CBS 6. «And one more thing for all the kids from Chesterfield County, I will be watching for the next star to be born».
Find out below what happened to Johnson, how he died, and more about his illustrious football career.
Johnson was a retired NFL athlete who played eight seasons as a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. Known to some as the «Auburn Drifter», - the late Virginia native was selected by his team in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Johnson’s birth name was Burudi Ali Johnson, which he said was partially inspired by his family’s admiration for Muhammad Ali. His first name, Burudi, means «cool» in Swahili.
A source close to Johnson’s family told TMZ Sports that he was struggling with mental health issues and the effects of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), a brain disease typically caused by multiple head injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Johnson took his own life, police told TMZ Sports. No other details about his cause of death were reported at the time of publication.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255).
Johnson was released from the Bengals in August 2008, and he signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions in September of the same year. After that season, he retired from the NFL
Just a few days before he was found dead, Johnson appeared in a pre-recorded message for the Chesterfield Hall of Fame, which was shown at his induction. He urged others to «never give up».
«I just want to say, dream big, reach for the stars, stay focused, never give up», - Johnson said in the message, according to WTVR CBS 6. «And one more thing for all the kids from Chesterfield County, I will be watching for the next star to be born».
Find out below what happened to Johnson, how he died, and more about his illustrious football career.
Johnson was a retired NFL athlete who played eight seasons as a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. Known to some as the «Auburn Drifter», - the late Virginia native was selected by his team in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Johnson’s birth name was Burudi Ali Johnson, which he said was partially inspired by his family’s admiration for Muhammad Ali. His first name, Burudi, means «cool» in Swahili.
A source close to Johnson’s family told TMZ Sports that he was struggling with mental health issues and the effects of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), a brain disease typically caused by multiple head injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Johnson took his own life, police told TMZ Sports. No other details about his cause of death were reported at the time of publication.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255).
Johnson was released from the Bengals in August 2008, and he signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions in September of the same year. After that season, he retired from the NFL
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