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Rudi Johnson was found by police at his home in Florida just after midnight on Tuesday
ByLorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist
Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died at the age of 45.
Johnson was a fourth-round draft pick in 2001 and played seven seasons with the Bengals, setting the franchise's single-season record with 1,458 rushing yards in 2005.
He joined the Detroit Lions for one season in 2008 before announcing his retirement from the NFL, ending his career with 5,979 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns.
Bengals president Mike Brown said Johnson was a "fine person and an excellent running back for us".
He added: "He was dependable and productive as a player, and very popular among his team-mates. Everyone liked him and saw him as a dear friend. We are deeply saddened by his passing."
Johnson, whose full name was Burudi Ali Johnson, ranks fourth on Cincinnati's all-time rushing list behind Corey Dillon, James Brooks and Joe Mixon.
