Chants of “Ruuuuuuuuuuuudi!” echo through the stadium every time number 32 touches the ball. Slashing and smashing through a wall of giants like a compact 5’10” wrecking ball, Burudi “Rudi” Johnson was adored by fans and teammates alike. He disliked being in the spotlight, and he ran the football with reckless abandon, which made him a Cincinnati Bengals legend…
Early Tuesday morning, local authorities were called to a condo in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, where they found Johnson had died from an apparent suicide. He was 45. An official cause of death has not been announced, though foul play is not suspected. Though never confirmed, it had been hinted that the former NFL running back suffered from mental health issues, potentially as a result of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
Young Rudi
Rudi Johnson was born in Ettrick, Virginia. He began his football career at six years old… As a high school football player, he played both offense and defense at Thomas Dale High School. He broke the Knights’ all-time rushing record. Following his high school career, Rudi enrolled at Butler Community College, where he led Butler CC to two national championships. In the 1999 championship game, he rushed for 375 yards and seven touchdowns.
Johnson would transfer to the football juggernaut, Auburn University, for his junior season. As a Tiger, he ran for 1,567 yards and 13 touchdowns on a school single-season record, 324 rushing attempts. He would earn the SEC (Southeastern Conference) Player of the Year. He would declare himself eligible for the NFL draft.
National Football League
The Cincinnati Bengals chose Johnson with the 100th pick of the 2001 NFL draft. Johnson played sparingly throughout his first two seasons in Cincy, backing up All-Pro running back Corey Dillon, logging a measly 17 carries and seven catches. In 2003, Johnson took over the starting duties while Dillon was hampered by injuries. Johnson sprinted for 957 yards and nine touchdowns.
The following off-season, Dillon was shipped off to New England, and Rudi was given the reins to the Bengals’ backfield. In a Week-12 match-up with in-state rival, the Cleveland Browns, he rambled for a career-high 202 yards and two touchdowns on 26 touches. He capped off his season by setting the franchise rushing record with 1,454 yards and found the endzone twelve times. He was selected for his lone AFC Pro-Bowl selection.
In 2005, Johnson surpassed his own franchise rushing record with 1,458 yards and twelve touchdowns. He helped the Bengals to an 11-5 finish and won the AFC North Division title, ending a 15-year playoff drought. In a 31-17 playoff loss to their AFC North rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson scored one rushing touchdown.
Johnson had a productive 2006 season, rushing for over 1,300 yards and twelve touchdowns. During an injury-riddled 2007 season, he only ran for 497 yards on 170 carries, and he had soon fallen out of favor with the team. He would be released by the Bengals before the 2008 season. The Detroit Lions would sign him to a one-year deal. After registering only 325 all-purpose yards and two scores, the ’08 season would be his last.
“Never Give Up”
While still actively playing in the NFL, the Rudi Johnson Foundation was founded in 2005. The Organization helped provide families with assistance to become self-reliant and offered various community-based programs, including funding for local schools in the Cincinnati area.
In 2025, Rudi Johnson was inducted into the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as an athlete in Chesterfield County, Virginia, first as a member of the Ettrick Trojans of the Chesterfield Quarterback League and later at Thomas Dale High School. Last week, he recorded an uplifting and heartfelt message to Virginia youth, inspiring them to “never give up…” just days before he gave up and took his own life.
Suicide Prevention
September is National Suicide Prevention Month; thirty days to spread hope and awareness and take action towards preventing suicide. This month is nearly over, but suicide doesn’t discriminate. Mental health should be taken care of every day. If you or a loved one struggles with mental health issues or has suicidal thoughts, help is available. CALL or TEXT 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
