Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals' Record-Breaking Rusher, Dies At 45

Johnson died by suicide early Tuesday, TMZ reported, citing police in Florida.

“Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us,” Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement posted on X by the team. “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 was a fourth-round pick of the Bengals out of Auburn in 2001.

In 2003 he gained 957 yards for the team, then established himself as a star. He rushed for more than 1,000 in the three next seasons ― 1,454 in 2004 to set a team record, 1,458 in 2005 to break his own mark, and 1,309 in 2006. He scored 12 touchdowns in each of those years.

TMZ wrote that a family member revealed Johnson “had been recently struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome.”

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a brain condition caused by repeated head trauma. A study last year found that about one third of NFL alums believe they have CTE, though it can only be officially diagnosed in death.

Johnson finished his career in 2008 with the Detroit Lions.