Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson died by suicide early Tuesday morning, September 23, 2025, at his home in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. He was 45 years old.
Detective Joseph Peguero told reporters that “all indications are leading to suicide” following a preliminary investigation, with no foul play suspected. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to a call at approximately 11:13 p.m. ET on Monday to treat and transport an adult trauma alert patient from an address corresponding to Johnson’s home listed in public records.
The former Pro Bowl selection spent seven of his eight NFL seasons with the Bengals from 2001 to 2007 after being drafted in the fourth round with the 100th overall pick out of Auburn University. Johnson concluded his career with the Detroit Lions in 2008, finishing with 5,979 career rushing yards and 49 touchdowns across 95 games.
Johnson’s most productive years came from 2004 to 2006, when he rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. His 1,458-yard campaign in 2005 remains the franchise’s single-season rushing record, while his 1,454 yards in 2004 rank second in team history. He earned his lone Pro Bowl selection in 2004 and ranks fourth on Cincinnati’s all-time rushing list with 48 rushing touchdowns, third in franchise history.
Bengals president Mike Brown released a statement expressing the organization’s grief over Johnson’s passing. Brown indicated that Johnson was a dependable and productive player who was very popular among his teammates, with everyone viewing him as a dear friend.
Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, revealed that the former running back had been struggling with mental health issues and possible effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head. Family sources confirmed to multiple outlets that Johnson had been battling these conditions but could not overcome them.
Schaffer called for increased research and innovation in CTE treatment and prevention, stating that the NFL and scientific community must do more to support players past, present, and future. He emphasized that Johnson’s tragic circumstances must serve as a call to action for better understanding and addressing the long-term effects of football-related head injuries.
Before his NFL career, Johnson had a standout season at Auburn in 2000, rushing for 1,567 yards and 13 touchdowns in his only season with the Tigers. He earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and finished tenth in Heisman Trophy voting that year. Auburn honored Johnson following news of his death, describing him as one of the best players to ever wear the orange and blue.
Johnson was recently inducted into the Chesterfield County, Virginia, Sports Hall of Fame on September 18, 2025. He did not attend the ceremony in person, but his mother, Janice Johnson, accepted the honor on his behalf. In a video message played at the event, Johnson encouraged young athletes from his home county to dream big and never give up, telling them he would be watching for the next star to be born.
The Virginia native began playing football at age six and graduated from Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Virginia. After high school, he spent two years at Butler Community College in Kansas before transferring to Auburn for his final collegiate season.
Following his playing career, Johnson established the Rudi Johnson Foundation in 2005, which created programs to support children and families. Schaffer described Johnson as a man who lived his life in the service of others, avoiding self-promotion and social media while maintaining a positive presence through his generosity and energy.
Johnson helped lead Cincinnati to the 2005 AFC North title, though the team fell short in the playoffs with a 31-17 loss to Pittsburgh in the wild-card round. Hamstring injuries limited his effectiveness in 2007, when he rushed for only 497 yards before the Bengals released him. He then played 14 games for Detroit in his final NFL season.
The Concussion Legacy Foundation has noted that CTE symptoms can include impaired cognitive function, weakened motor skills, and mood changes, including depression and suicidal behavior. A Boston University study found CTE in 345 of 376 deceased former NFL players whose brains were donated for research.
Johnson’s death has prompted discussions about the long-term effects of football and the challenges athletes face transitioning from professional sports. Former teammates and fans have expressed their grief on social media, remembering him as a player who brought hope and pride to the Bengals organization during a difficult period in franchise history.
