Bengals mourn death of former running back Rudi Johnson at 45

Cincinnati — The Bengals on Tuesday announced that former running back Rudi Johnson has died at age 45. Police told TMZ that Johnson died in Florida shortly after midnight Tuesday; the report noted he had been "recently struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome." The organization said it is deeply saddened by the loss.

Bengals owner Mike Brown issued a statement calling Johnson "a fine person and an excellent running back for us," adding that he was dependable, productive and popular among his teammates. "Everyone liked him and saw him as a dear friend. We are deeply saddened by his passing," Brown said.

Johnson played for the Bengals from 2001-07 and is the team’s single-season rushing yards leader. He emerged as one of the NFL’s top backs in the mid-2000s, tallying at least 1,300 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in each season from 2004 through 2006.

His 2004 campaign, with 1,454 yards and 12 TDs, earned him his lone Pro Bowl appearance. His 1,458 rushing yards in 2005 remains the Bengals’ single-season record, and his 1,309 yards in 2006 helped him climb to fourth on the club’s all-time list with 5,742 rushing yards.

Johnson finished his Bengals career with 5,742 rushing yards, fourth in team history, and third in franchise history in rushing touchdowns.

He finished his NFL career with the Detroit Lions in 2008, a season in which the team went 0-16.

Auburn star before the NFL, Johnson was the SEC Player of the Year in 2000 after rushing for 1,567 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Former Bengals teammate Chad Johnson, who played alongside Johnson, tweeted: "R.I.P Rudi Johnson 🕊️." Auburn also posted tributes, noting Johnson’s place in program history.

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