Former NFL Star Rudi Johnson Dies at 45, What Caused His Death?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Former NFL star Rudi Johnson, who was played for Cincinnati Bengals running back, passed away at the age of 45.

This tragic news emerged after police in Florida confirmed that Johnson died by suicide in the early hours of September 23, 2025.

His family suspects that his mental health issues and the possible effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) were contributing factors to his death.

CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head injuries and can only be definitively diagnosed postmortem through a brain autopsy.

Bengals President Mike Brown expressed his condolences and remembered Johnson as a kind person, a productive player, and a hugely popular player among his teammates.

"Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us," he said.

"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."

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rudi Johnson. pic.twitter.com/wXTd8jgEBl

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 23, 2025

As reported by NBC News, local police confirmed that he died by suicide on September 23, 2025.

The family revealed that Johnson had struggled with mental health issues.

They also suspect a link to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a serious neurological condition often found in athletes with a history of repeated head injuries.

Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, said he hopes Johnson's death will spur more research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of our friend and client, Rudi Johnson. Rudi lived his life in the service of others," Schaffer said.

"He was a man who disdained self-promotion and avoided the spotlight of social media, yet his presence was always felt through his positivity, energy, and generosity."

"These tragic circumstances must also serve as a call to action," Schaffer said in a statement.

"The NFL and the scientific community must do more — more research into CTE, more innovation into how we can treat it, prevent it, and provide support to those living with it. Players past, present, and future deserve nothing less."

Burudi Ali Johnson, better known as Rudi Johnson, was born on October 1, 1979, in Petersburg, Virginia.

He began his football career at the age of six and displayed exceptional talent in high school, breaking rushing records for the Thomas Dale Knights.

Johnson's career continued at Butler Community College, where he led the team to two national championships and was named NJCAA Player of the Year in 1999.

He then went on to Auburn University, setting a school single-season record with 1,567 rushing yards and earning SEC Player of the Year honors in 2000.

In 2001, Rudi Johnson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

He spent eight seasons in the NFL, most of them with the Bengals (2001-2007).

During his career, he recorded three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards from 2004 to 2006 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004.

He also holds the Bengals' single-season rushing record with 1,458 yards in 2005.

Johnson finished his NFL career with the Detroit Lions in 2008, totaling 5,979 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns.

After retiring from the NFL, Rudi Johnson chose a more private life, but remained active in social causes.

In 2005, he established The Rudi Johnson Foundation.

The foundation focuses on improving the quality of life for children and families through various community programs, including providing free lunches and scholarships.

Although known for his private life after his professional career, his former high school teammate, Thomas Dale, remembered him as a "great husband" and "great father."

At the time of his death, Rudi Johnson's net worth was estimated at approximately $5 million.

This amount includes earnings from his NFL career, which totaled over $21 million, as well as investments and businesses he developed after retirement.

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