{"id":691717,"date":"2025-09-24T14:00:53","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T11:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/former-nfl-star-rudi-johnson-has-died-by-suicide-at-45\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T14:00:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T11:00:53","slug":"former-nfl-star-rudi-johnson-has-died-by-suicide-at-45","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/former-nfl-star-rudi-johnson-has-died-by-suicide-at-45\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NFL Star Rudi Johnson Has Died By Suicide At 45"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e55c8aaf5d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e55c8aaf5d\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/former-nfl-star-rudi-johnson-has-died-by-suicide-at-45\/#Warning_Potentially_Triggering_Content\" >[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\" class=\"text\">\n<h4 class=\"ptc\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Warning_Potentially_Triggering_Content\"><\/span>[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Former <strong>NFL<\/strong> running back <strong>Rudi Johnson<\/strong> \u2014 who was one of the most powerful and consistent rushers of the 2000s \u2014 has tragically died by suicide. He was just 45 years old.<\/p>\n<p>According to <em>TMZ Sports<\/em>, law enforcement insiders confirmed that Johnson passed away shortly after midnight on Tuesday down in Florida. No further details on his manner of death have yet been reported.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"min-height:120px;width:100%;float:none;\" class=\"lazy-ad-parent\">\n<div id=\"section-68d3c7c13e998-paragraph-slot\" class=\"lazyload-unit\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Related: Charlie Sheen \u2018Could Tell\u2019 Matthew Perry \u2018Wasn\u2019t Sober\u2019 \u2014 A Whole Year Before His Death<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Johnson went to <strong>Auburn University<\/strong> for his college football career, then rose to prominence as the workhorse running back of the <strong>Cincinnati Bengals<\/strong> for several seasons before finishing off his playing time with the <strong>Detroit Lions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>He had been struggling with mental health issues, per the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a> report, along with what those close to him believe may have been the effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Also known as CTE, that\u2019s the brain disease that has cast a dark shadow over the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> of football. According to a family source, he could not overcome that never-ending battle.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"min-height:120px;width:100%;float:none;\" class=\"lazy-ad-parent\">\n<div id=\"section-68d3c7c13e99e-paragraph-slot\" class=\"lazyload-unit\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Despite those struggles, Johnson remained committed to serving others. His family shared that he\u2019d been doing everything he could to help people on and off the field, including through some notable foundation work.<\/p>\n<p>Selected by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2001 <strong>NFL Draft<\/strong>, Rudi\u2019s rise was electric. After limited action in his first two seasons, he put up nearly 1,000 rushing yards and nine touchdowns as a 24-year-old. Then, over the next three seasons, he was one of the league\u2019s foremost backs, racking up over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>After that aforementioned brief stint with the Lions in 2008, Johnson\u2019s NFL career came to a close. But like we said, his impact didn\u2019t stop when he hung up his cleats; Johnson created a foundation focused on helping children and families through several community programs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"min-height:120px;width:100%;float:none;\" class=\"lazy-ad-parent\">\n<div id=\"section-68d3c7c13e9a1-paragraph-slot\" class=\"lazyload-unit\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The outpouring of love following his death has been powerful. Bengals president <strong>Mike Brown<\/strong> remembered the man he once called one of his most reliable players:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cRudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>And former Auburn coach <strong>Tommy Tuberville<\/strong>, who guided Johnson during his college days, echoed the deep sadness felt by all who knew him:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"min-height:120px;width:100%;float:none;\" class=\"lazy-ad-parent\">\n<div id=\"section-68d3c7c13e9a3-paragraph-slot\" class=\"lazyload-unit\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cDeeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true Auburn great and one of my former players, Rudi Johnson. Rudi was more than just an elite running back. He was a true Auburn man on and off the field. My prayers are with his family and loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true Auburn great and one of my former players, Rudi Johnson.<\/p>\n<p>Rudi was more than just an elite running back. He was a true Auburn man on and off the field. My prayers are with his family and loved ones.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"min-height:120px;width:100%;float:none;\" class=\"lazy-ad-parent\">\n<div id=\"section-68d3c7c13e9a6-paragraph-slot\" class=\"lazyload-unit\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2014 Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SenTuberville\/status\/1970557223001551227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>So, so sad.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"min-height:120px;width:100%;float:none;\" class=\"lazy-ad-parent\">\n<div id=\"section-68d3c7c13e9ab-paragraph-slot\" class=\"lazyload-unit\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Look At Rudi Johnson&#039;s Pro Bowl Season In 2004 | Cincinnati Bengals\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RtYp4onGcO8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Rest in peace, Rudi.<\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Consider contacting the 988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline at 988, by calling, texting, or chatting, or go to <\/span><\/i><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/988lifeline.org\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">988lifeline.org<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"min-height:120px;width:100%;float:none;\" class=\"lazy-ad-parent\">\n<div id=\"section-68d3c7c13e9ad-paragraph-slot\" class=\"lazyload-unit\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"image_cite\"><em>[Image via Cincinnati Bengals\/<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RtYp4onGcO8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">YouTube<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Social Media category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/perezhilton.com\/former-nfl-star-rudi-johnson-dead-suicide-details\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content] Former NFL running back Rudi Johnson \u2014 who was one of the most powerful and consistent rushers of the 2000s \u2014 has tragically died by suicide. He was just 45 years old. According to TMZ Sports, law enforcement insiders confirmed that Johnson passed away shortly after midnight on Tuesday down in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":691718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/perezhilton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rudi-johnson-nfl-running-back-dead-suicide.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[6642,30487,5047,70989,869,73051,72704,72779,73901],"class_list":["post-691717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-mediaa","tag-florida","tag-football","tag-health","tag-mental-health","tag-nfl","tag-r-i-p","tag-sad-sad","tag-viral-news","tag-zportz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/691717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=691717"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/691717\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/691718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=691717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=691717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=691717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}