Former Bengal Rudi Johnson passes away

[Draconator]

Only 45. Still holds the Bengals Single Season rushing record. 

 

https://www.tmz.com/2025/09/23/ex-nfl-star-rudi-johnson-dead-at-45/

 

 

Edited September 23 by Draconator

[T.E.]

Very sad; he was an underrated player in the 2000s.

[BillsPride12]

Sad news.  Instantly had a flashback of Chris Berman chanting RUDI RUDI RUDI during his highlights on Primetime.  

[DrDawkinstein]

Sad and way too young. RIP.

[BillytheKid]

I remember Rudi playing at Auburn and being very good. 
 

RIP sorry to hear

[Fleezoid]

The article says cause of death unknown, but I read in another article it was suicide. It's sad people get to that place. 

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

Very sad and far too young.  This is absolutely not meant to trivialize anything but his is a name that I associate with my very early days playing fantasy football.  He was a sort of forgotten bell cow back during the days of LT, Shaun Alexander and Priest Holmes.

[BuffaloBill]

1 hour ago, Fleezoid said:

The article says cause of death unknown, but I read in another article it was suicide. It's sad people get to that place. 

 

 

You are so correct - depression is a horrible and frequently misunderstood condition.

[Don Otreply]

🙏 

[billsfan89]

24 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said:

 

 

You are so correct - depression is a horrible and frequently misunderstood condition.

 

CTE is also linked to depression and suicide. Rudi unfortunately played in an era where we were just beginning to understand the severity of concussions. So I do wonder if this is a suicide could CTE have played a factor? He was a very good player too, sad to see someone so young pass away.

[4th&long]

I don't remember him. Rip. 

[frostbitmic]

4 hours ago, SageAgainstTheMachine said:

Very sad and far too young.  This is absolutely not meant to trivialize anything but his is a name that I associate with my very early days playing fantasy football.  He was a sort of forgotten bell cow back during the days of LT, Shaun Alexander and Priest Holmes.

I remember having him on a team or two, I wouldn't have guessed he was 45 he seemed more recent to me. Way too young to go, RIP.

[Sierra Foothills]

If you have any thoughts at all about harming yourself, please call 988.

 

Lots of times if you just talk to someone it really helps.

 

[stuvian]

How terribly sad.

[H2o]

I just saw this. The story I read said all of the evidence is leaning towards suicide. Very tragic. Hate to see anyone leave the world this way. Praying for his family and friends during this difficult time. 

[Let's Go Buffalo]

Man, that's really young! I remember when he was playing at Butler Community College in Kansas back in the day....He was definitely fun to watch. That's sad news for sure. Thoughts and prayers for the family for sure. R.I.P. Rudi

[Augie]

3 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 If you have any thoughts at all about harming yourself, please call 988.

 

Lots of times if you just talk to someone it really helps.

 

 

I did not know that, so it’s worth repeating.

 

For better or worse, I have spoken with people from this board I’ve never met, and they needed something better than me in the wee hours of the morning. If you think you might need help, that might get you pointed in the right direction. 

 

.

Edited September 24 by Augie