Cincinnati Bengals (Katie Stratman-Imagn Images)
Rudi Johnson had a lot more life to live, but unfortunately, he will not be able to live out his days.

On Tuesday, TMZ Sports reported that the former Cincinnati Bengals star running back tragically passed away at the age of 45. A family source informed them of the news.

A cause of d3ath has not been mentioned, but the publication was told that Johnson had been struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome.

The family source further added that prior to the standout running back’s d3ath, Rudi Johnson was trying to do everything he could to help others.

Johnson’s d3ath comes a year after former Bengals RB Jimmie L. Browner Jr. passed away.

Rudi Johnson Made His Name on The Field

SUNDAY DECEMBER 14, 2003 BENGALS SPORTS The Cincinnati Bengals defeated theSan Fransisco 49ers 41-38 at Paul Brown Stadium. Rudi Johnson (32) rushed for 174 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns in leading the Bengals offense. Cincinnati Enquirer/Michael E. Keating mek

Rudi Johnson rushed for over 1,000 yards three straight seasons between the years of 2004 to 206.

He may not be as well known to the average FL fan, but he did produce the two most prolific single-season rushing totals in franchise history: 1,458 yards in 2005 and 1,454 yards in 2004.

In 2004, he earned a Pro Bowl nod.

Even to this day, Johnson’s 1,309 yards that he rushed for in 2006 still stand as the sixth most in a season in franchise history. He currently ranks fourth in team history in total rushing yards with 5,742 and is third in rushing touchdowns with 48.

He was always destined for greatness after being selected in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Bengals. Before his selection, he starred at Auburn University, where he won SEC Player of the Year Honors once.

As a freshman, Rudi Johnson rushed for 1,697 yards and 15 touchdowns. The following year, he amassed a school-record 2,310 yards rushing along with 31 touchdowns.

Johnson’s NFL career came to an end following a run with the Detroit Lions in 2008.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.