Ex-Bengals star Rudi Johnson dead at 45

Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died at age 45, the team announced Tuesday.

Johnson, a standout at Auburn, was selected by Cincinnati in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Bengals and one with the Detroit Lions, earning a Pro Bowl berth in 2004.

During his Bengals tenure, Johnson appeared in 81 games from 2001 to 2007, starting every game in 2004 and rushing for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns that season as Cincinnati posted three straight 1,000-yard campaigns. He played 14 games for the Lions in 2008 before retiring.

A Bengals statement from team president Mike Brown described Johnson as dependable and productive, adding that he was a popular teammate and friend. "Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us," Brown said in the release. "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."

TMZ Sports, citing Johnson’s family, reported that he died by suicide, and police told TMZ the same. The outlet did not cite an official league or team confirmation. Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, known as Chad OchoCinco, was among those who paid tribute on social media.

Johnson's passing marks a somber moment for fans who remember the Bengals' early-2000s rise, when Johnson helped power a developing offense that keyed the team's competitiveness during that era. His performance left a lasting impression on Bengals supporters and is part of the franchise's broader history of players who reached the Pro Bowl during the period.