Importance of Prioritizing Mental Health: Mourning the Loss of the Bengals Former Running Back
The Bengals announced the passing of former NFL running back Rudi Johnson on social media on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025; he was just 45 years old and found by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Johnson, a fourth-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, played eight seasons with the AFC North squad, starting 59 games out of the 81 he appeared in. It was reported that he struggled with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he would be unable to overcome. Cincinnati grieves the loss of a friend, husband, father, brother, and teammate, but his death is a stark and painful reminder of the importance of prioritizing athletes’ mental health, both during their careers and long after the roars of the crowds become a distant memory.
Johnson lit up a room; he was described as “a joyful presence" by former teammate Carson Palmer. He is remembered as a dependable teammate and liked by all he met; moreover, he was seen as a “dear friend,” as Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. However, the light he brought to others often masked a deep and personal struggle. Behind that infectious smile and dependable public persona was a man grappling with the invisible injuries of his career. The transition from a high-adrenaline environment of the NFL world to a life without the game is a battle many athletes beyond football struggle with in isolation. Johnson faced the potential of the neurological toll of CTE, which would prove to be one of his biggest opponents that even his renowned spirit and strength could not defeat.
Johnson’s devastating passing illuminates the crisis that the NFL and the broader sports world have long grappled with. It is a tragedy that pressures not just spectators but the institution itself to ask the difficult questions. Are we doing enough to protect the mental well-being of the players who entertain us? Does the culture of toughness and invincibility that is often praised in the professional sports world and even at a collegiate level hinder athletes from seeking help they so desperately need?
The NFL has made progress in recent years by implementing mental health resources for its players. However, Johnson’s passing is a sobering and solemn reminder that there is much work to be done. This painful reality brings forth the conversations surrounding the game’s long-term toll into sharp focus, a conversation the Bengals are all too familiar with. As the team’s medical staff works to get star quarterback Joe Burrow back on the field, the question of “how many more hits can he endure?” has never been more chillingly relevant. Every hit, every injury, and every comeback does not just take a physical toll on its player but a major mental toll as well. The consequence goes far beyond missing a game or season; Johnson’s story serves as a tragic echo of the concerns that now surround the future of Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback, reminding fans that the biggest obstacles in football are far beyond what you can see.
