Former Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl running back (*45*) Johnson died Tuesday. He was 45.
The Bengals confirmed Johnson’s dying, although didn’t present any particulars.
In a press release, staff president Mike Brown known as Johnson a “fine person” and a “dear friend.”
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Johnson, a fourth-round choice by the Bengals within the 2001 NFL Draft, principally sat on the bench his first two seasons within the league. But accidents to starter Corey Dillon pushed Johnson into extra work in his third season. He delivered. Johnson rushed for 957 yards and scored 9 speeding touchdowns in simply 215 makes an attempt in 2003.
Dillon was traded within the offseason, paving the best way for Johnson to begin in 2204. He went on to ship three straight incredible seasons. From 2004 to 2006, Johnson averaged 1,407 speeding yards and 12 touchdowns. He made his first — and solely — Pro Bowl in 2004. That season, Johnson rushed for 1,454 yards, a franchise document. He broke that document the next season, speeding for 1,458 yards. That document nonetheless stands.
The Bengals reached the playoffs that season, however fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers within the wild-card spherical. Johnson scored a landing within the loss.
Injuries took a toll on Johnson in 2007, limiting him to 11 video games. He struggled when wholesome, gaining 497 yards on 170 makes an attempt. Johnson was minimize by the Bengals in coaching camp the following season. He was picked up by the Detroit Lions, the place he obtained 76 speeding makes an attempt in his last season within the NFL.
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Johnson appeared at Paul Brown Stadium in 2016 as a part of the staff’s Legends Weekend. He stated it was the first time he returned to the team following his 2008 launch.
Johnson’s teammate, receiver Chad Johnson, paid tribute to the running back on X on Tuesday.
The pair overlapped in Cincinnati all through Rudi’s whole tenure with the franchise. Both Rudy and Chad joined the Bengals as a part of the identical draft, with the staff taking Chad within the second spherical in 2001.