Rudi Johnson's final message revealed after ex-NFL star's suicide at 45

Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson died by suicide at age 45, police told TMZ, with the death occurring just after midnight on Tuesday. Johnson, a Chesterfield County native, spent eight NFL seasons, seven with Cincinnati, after being drafted in the fourth round in 2001.

Just days earlier, Johnson was inducted into the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Virginia, accepting the honor via a pre-recorded video. His mother, Janice, accepted the induction on his behalf as other family members wore Bengals jerseys. In the video, Johnson thanked his former coaches and teammates and offered advice to aspiring athletes: "I just want to say: dream big, shoot for the stars, stay focused, never give up." He added: "And one more thing: For all kids from Chesterfield County, I'll be watching for the next star to be born."

Johnson's NFL career included eight seasons, seven with Cincinnati after the Bengals drafted him in the 2001 NFL Draft. He rushed for 957 yards and nine touchdowns in 2003, and over the next three seasons became a productive force, rushing for more than 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns and earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2004. He was released by Cincinnati in 2008 and signed with the Detroit Lions, where he played the final season of his career.

The Bengals issued an emotional tribute after his death, with owner Mike Brown calling Johnson "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." Johnson's family said he had been struggling with mental health issues and feared he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a brain disease associated with repeated head injuries that can only be diagnosed after death.

Johnson's life and career tied him to his Virginia roots. He starred at Thomas Dale High School in Chesterfield County before his collegiate career at Auburn and the NFL, where he became one of the Bengals' most productive backs of the era. His induction into the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame occurred just days before his death, and his family and supporters attended the ceremony, with his mother accepting the honor on his behalf.

Support organizations for mental health and suicide prevention include Samaritans in the UK at 116 123 or online at samaritans.org, and the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States at 988 (or 988lifeline.org). If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.