Sad news for Bengals fans.
Rudi Johnson, the battering-ram running back who carried Cincinnati’s ground game through the mid-2000s, has passed away at just 45.
Reports say he died by suicide on 23 September 2025.
A relentless running machine
Younger fans, and many outside the Cincinnati Bengals family, may not even know his name.
But from 2001 to 2008, his star shone brightly, alongside the likes of Carson Palmer, Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, T.J. Houshmanzadeh and, latterly, Andrew Whitworth.
If you saw him at his peak, you will remember exactly what made him special. He was tough, patient and an absolute beast near the goal line.
And today, if you search for images of him playing, pretty much every other one shows him stiff-arming some poor unsuspecting opponent.
Not flashy but rugged – and relentless.
His achievements and legacy
Drafted in the fourth round from Auburn in 2001, Rudi was supposed to be Corey Dillon’s understudy. But he eventually grabbed the starting job and made it his own.
His 1,454 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 earned him a Pro Bowl nod.
A year later, he went four yards better and logged 12 more TDs. That 1,458 is still the franchise’s single-season rushing record, and helped drag the Bengals back into the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
Then in 2006, #32 reeled off a third straight season of over 1,300 yards, and bagged another 12 touchdowns.
By the time he left the Queen City, Rudi had racked up 5,742 yards in stripes – the fourth most in franchise history – and run in 48 touchdowns, the third most.
Silent struggles
Since the news of his passing broke, tributes have poured in from teammates, coaches and fans who remember what he meant to the team.
But his passing has also shone a light on a tougher subject.
Like too many former players, Rudi is believed to have been dealing with mental health issues.
And there is speculation that he struggled with symptoms linked to CTE, the brain condition associated with repeated head trauma.
It is a high price to pay – too high – and a sobering reminder that even the strongest on the field can face invisible battles off it.
More research and more support is needed for players after their football careers end.
A legend fondly remembered
For us older fans, Johnson will always be remembered for his trademark straight-ahead style: lowering the pads, breaking tackles and keeping the chains moving.
Oh, what we would give for his talents now, on a team ranked 32nd in rushing!
Johnson gave us some of the most memorable moments of the 2000s and for that, he will always have a special place in Bengals folklore.
The play clock has hit 00:00. Rest in peace, Rudi.
