Former Pro Bowl RB Rudi Johnson dies at 45

Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died.

A source close to Johnson’s family told TMZ on Tuesday that he died earlier in the week at the age of 45. While no specific cause of death was given, the person said Johnson had been struggling with mental health issues.

Johnson, a Virginia native, was drafted by the Bengals in the fourth round in 2001. He played for Butler Community College in Kansas before transferring to Auburn in 2000, where he rushed for 1,567 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games.

Rudi Johnson set impressive franchise record with Bengals

Johnson spent seven seasons with the Bengals. He had three consecutive seasons with more than 1,300 rushing yards from 2004 to 2006. Johnson made the Pro Bowl in 2004, when he ran for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns. He then rushed for 1,458 yards in 2005, which is the most for any running back in a single season in Bengals franchise history. Johnson also had 12 rushing touchdowns that season and 12 rushing scores in 2006.

Johnson played his last NFL season in 2008 with the Detroit Lions. He had a limited role with 237 rushing yards in 14 games that year.