Rudi Johnson, the former Cincinnati Bengals running back, has died at 45, his family confirmed this week,

prompting grief across the NFL community. A Chesterfield County,

Virginia native, Johnson rose through youth football to star at Auburn University,

where his play earned SEC Player of the Year honors and led to his selection in the 2001 NFL Draft.

Johnson became a fan favorite in Cincinnati for his pounding

running style, durability, and key contributions during the team’s

early-2000s resurgence. He posted several record-setting performances and was a respected locker-room

leader before finishing his career with a final season in Detroit in 2008.

Off the field, Johnson devoted himself to charitable work through his foundation, supporting children

and families—efforts teammates and community members often praised. Bengals President Mike Brown remembered

him as “a fine person and an excellent running back,” reflecting the respect Johnson earned throughout the organization.

Days before his passing, Johnson was honored at the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame, where he told young athletes:

“Dream big, stay focused, never give up.” His legacy lives on through those he impacted—on the field

as a competitor and in the community as a mentor and generous presence, and his family mourns.