Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has reportedly passed away at the age of 45.
Police have apparently confirmed that the former Pro Bowl player died by suicide in Florida, TMZ reports. A source shared with them that he passed this week, and had been “recently struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome.”
Keep reading to find out more…
If you don’t know, “CTE” is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, “a brain disease likely caused by repeated head injuries. It causes the death of nerve cells in the brain,” according to the Mayo Clinic. It can only be officially diagnosed after death. One notable star NFL player was diagnosed with CTE after his tragic passing.
Rudi was apparently “doing everything he could to help people on and off the field.”
He was drafted to the Bengals in 2021 and played in the league for seven seasons. He made the Pro Bowl in 2004.
Our thoughts are with Rudi‘s friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time. RIP.
Source: justjared.com