Sachin Shankar Yadav 
On September 23, 2025, Rudi Johnson, a former running back for the Auburn Tigers and Cincinnati Bengals who made it to the Pro Bowl, passed away tragically at the age of 45. Johnson died by suicide, according to police reports, and early conjecture attributes his mental health issues to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disorder frequently linked to repeated head injuries sustained in professional football.
Following a successful collegiate career at Auburn University, where he won the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award in 2000, Johnson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He established a reputation for resilience, power running, and durability in the NFL. During his time with the Bengals, he started 59 of 81 games and amassed over 5,700 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns. Before concluding his NFL career with the Detroit Lions in 2008, he helped lead the Bengals to several competitive seasons and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2004 after rushing for 1,454 yards.
Johnson was well-known off the field for his humanitarian endeavors, especially through the Rudi Johnson Foundation, which helped underprivileged families and children. Admired by both teammates and supporters, he was regarded as a trustworthy, resilient, and compassionate person who made a big impact in his community and in sports.
Rudi Johnson’s passing has rekindled discussions about the value of mental health care for athletes and the ongoing risks of head injuries in contact sports like football. The Bengals and Auburn Football are among the NFL teams that have paid tribute to him, highlighting his legacy and lamenting his premature death.
Johnson’s death highlights the need for improved mental health services and more research on the long-term consequences of head injuries sustained playing football.