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Ex-NFL star Rudi Johnson’s inspiring message to Virginia youth days before death revealed: ‘I’ll be watching’

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Ex-NFL star Rudi Johnson’s inspiring message to Virginia youth days before death revealed: ‘I’ll be watching’


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Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson shared an inspiring message with young athletes in his home state of Virginia just days before he reportedly died by suicide. 

Johnson, 45, was inducted into the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 18 as a graduate of Thomas Dale High School and a product of the Ettrick Trojans of the Chesterfield Quarterback League.

Cincinnati Bengals running back (32) Rudi Johnson runs against the Carolina Panthers at Paul Brown Stadium on Oct. 22, 2006. (Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)

The former NFL star shared an inspiring message in a video played at the induction ceremony, where he thanked past coaches and teammates and shared the advice and encouragement he received over the years. 

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“I want to give a special shoutout to all the people who came before me, the alumni from Thomas Dale High School and Ettrick Trojans,” he said in the video, according to the New York Post. 

“Also, the same people that came after me. So, with that being said, I just want to say dream big, shoot for the stars, stay focused, never give up. And one more thing: For the all kids from Chesterfield County, I’ll be watching for the next star to be born.”

Johnson was a standout running back for the Auburn Tigers before the Bengals selected him in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Bengals and one with the Detroit Lions. He was a Pro Bowler with Cincinnati in 2004.

Rudi Johnson vs Lions

Cincinnati Bengals fullback (32) Rudi Johnson carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Dec. 18, 2005. (Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)

EX-BENGALS STAR RUDI JOHNSON DEAD AT 45

“Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us,” Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. “He was dependable and productive as a player, and very popular among his teammates. Everyone liked him and saw him as a dear friend. We are deeply saddened by his passing.”

Johnson appeared in 81 games for the Bengals from 2001 to 2007. He started every game for Cincinnati in 2004 and rushed for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to his lone Pro Bowl selection. That started a string of three consecutive years in which he rushed for at least 1,000 yards.

Rudi Johnson vs Chargers

Cincinnati Bengals running back (32) Rudi Johnson runs against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on Nov. 12, 2006. (Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)

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TMZ Sports first reported Johnson’s death. Police told the outlet he died by suicide just after midnight on Tuesday.

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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2026 Winter Olympics: Live updates from Milan Cortina

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2026 Winter Olympics: Live updates from Milan Cortina


The second Sunday of the 2026 Winter Olympics is a busy one for fans of Team USA.

Mikaela Shiffrin skis in the giant slalom — the race she won at the 2018 Olympics, and her second shot at a medal in Milan Cortina. It’s also the race where she suffered a severe injury with a puncture wound in 2024. Shiffrin has had to deal with PTSD from the crash, and competing again in Olympic giant slalom is part of her comeback. Speedskater Erin Jackson will attempt to defend her Olympic gold in the 500 meters. Pairs figure skating begins, with Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea the top American pair. They had clutch performances to help the U.S. win gold in the team event and have an outside chance of a medal. And U.S. men’s hockey will be back in action against Germany.

Key events (all times ET)

  • 4:00 a.m. — Women’s giant slalom

  • 11:03 a.m. — Women’s 500m speedskating

  • 1:45 p.m. — Pairs figure skating

  • 3:10 p.m. — Men’s hockey (USA vs. Germany)

MORE: Medal tracker | Full schedule of events | Olympics 101

Here’s a live look at the top moments from Sunday’s events.




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The biggest sporting event in Milan on Saturday wasn’t the Olympics

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With a global sporting spectacle going on nearby, locals in Milan flooded San Siro to witness a riveting Derby d’Italia between Inter Milan and Juventus.



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Jamaica unveil snazzy kits ahead of World Cup playoffs

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Jamaica unveil snazzy kits ahead of World Cup playoffs


We’re four months away from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but if they manage to qualify, Jamaica might have already sewn up the competition for the snazziest kits with their new home and away strips unveiled Friday.

Both ensembles have been designed in collaboration with the Bob Marley Foundation and as such are positively drenched in the vivid red, green and gold colors that have become synonymous with the legendary reggae star and Rastafarian culture.

The home shirt has a yellow-gold base overlaid with a weave pattern that makes it look like the crocheted garments and Rasta headwear Marley wore in the 1970s. There are also horizontal bands in black, red and green that span the shirt and feature a pattern intended to resemble vinyl records.

The away shirt is arguably even livelier, with the Jamaican national colors once again used to create a black alternative design that pays homage to the rocksteady rhythm of the island’s music.

The dark base is covered in line-drawn patterns inspired by soundwaves, vinyl records and even the reels of old cassette tapes. The Reggae Boyz/Girlz tag on the collar is also inspired by the font used by Marley’s record label, Tuff Gong. Added to that, the use of the classic trefoil logo in gold just caps everything off nicely.

Marley was known to love soccer and regularly played in matches against fellow musicians and even professional players, notably several members of Brazil‘s famous teams of the 70s. As such, there is a tag attached to the lower hem of both 2026 jerseys that bears a portrait of the icon alongside his well-known quote, “Football is freedom.”

All that’s left now is for Jamaica to actually qualify for their first World Cup since 1998. The Reggae Boyz finished second behind surprise package Curaçao in Concacaf Group B, meaning that two rounds of interconfederation playoffs in March still stand between them and a place at this summer’s tournament.



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