Former Auburn, Bengals RB Johnson dies at 45

"CINCINNATI -- Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died at the age of 45, the team confirmed on Tuesday. Johnson's death was first reported by TMZ. A cause of death and exact date was unknown. In a statement, the Bengals mourned Johnson's death. "Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us," said Bengals president Mike Brown. "He was dependable and productive as a player, and very popular among his teammates.""

"The Bengals drafted Johnson in the fourth round of the 2001 draft. The Auburn product played the next seasons with Cincinnati, where he finished his tenure as one of the most productive running backs in franchise history. He started in 59 of his 81 appearances with the Bengals. He finished his time in Cincinnati with 5,742 career rushing yards, the fourth-highest total in franchise history. Johnson also scored 48 rushing touchdowns, good for third on the team's all-time list."

"Before entering the league, Johnson had a prolific college career. In 2000, he was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in his only season at Auburn where he carried the ball 324 times that season for 1,567 yards, the 4th-best mark for a single season in school history. He also had 9 catches for 70 yards and scored a total of 13 touchdowns. Auburn called Johnson "one of the best to ever wear the orange and blue" in a statement on X."

Rudi Johnson died at 45; a cause of death and exact date were not disclosed. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2001 draft and finished as one of the franchise's most productive running backs. Johnson started 59 of 81 appearances in Cincinnati, rushing for 5,742 yards (fourth in team history) and scoring 48 rushing touchdowns (third in team history). He rushed for 1,454 yards and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2004. Cincinnati released him in 2008 and he played one season with the Detroit Lions. He was the 2000 SEC Offensive Player of the Year at Auburn.

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