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.

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.

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.

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. 

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — As Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa put it Thursday, talking about playing quarterback is a lot easier than actually playing the position.

When asked about whether he’s being criticized more for his contract than his play, Tagovailoa suggested his job is more difficult than pundits make it seem.

Tagovailoa was specifically asked about Cam Newton’s comments on ESPN’s “First Take” last week, following the Dolphins’ 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, in which the former NFL MVP criticized Tagovailoa’s performance considering the four-year, $212.1 million extension he signed last summer.

“Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels,” Newton said. “Am I pocket watching? No, I’m putting things into perspective here … In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. When I see Tua Tagovailoa over this year, alone, I’ve heard him more than I ever had. That’s not to say you can’t talk, I like quiet Tua. Alabama Tua. Chip on your shoulder Tua. Not, ‘is somebody going to come in and watch film.’

“What you’re being paid, what you’re asked to do, what you have the capability of — from one quarterback to the another, I look at the situation like come on dawg. Especially when you’ve got a Ferrari and a Lamborghini and other amenities that other quarterbacks wish they had.”

Tagovailoa admitted he hasn’t played “anywhere near” the standard he’s capable of, but dismissed Newton’s comments in response to football pundits as a whole.

“Well, anybody can play quarterback in this league then. I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback,” Tagovailoa said. “Cam is doing his thing for sure, but I think it’s easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not going out and having to do the same as them.

“I think it’s easy to do that, I think anybody can do that. I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”

Tagovailoa’s five touchdown passes are tied for seventh-most in the NFL through three games, but his four interceptions are tied for 2nd-most.

He also ranks 29th in quarterback rating with a 35.8, and his 6.4 air yards per attempt ranks 25th. He’s turned the ball over in all three of Miami’s games this season as the team started 0-3 for the first time since 2019.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa can always improve but praised his quarterback’s mentality during the team’s losing streak.

“The game of a franchise quarterback is never just still … there’s opportunities that he needs to take advantage of,” he said. “There’s also a ton of opportunities to turn the ball over that he hasn’t taken. He’s really answered the bell for 99% of the time … It’s not an easy task to be in his shoes, but I’m very happy with where his mind is at and where his focus is at because if he was a weaker-minded individual, it’s tough for any quarterback during any losing streak or any whatever.

“He’s focused on being 1-0 against the New York Jets and that’s why I know he’s capable and I’m excited to see his next opportunity that we work on all week because of just that, of being focused on the right things.”

Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards in 2023, in what remains the only season he did not miss a game. He missed a career-high six games to various injuries in 2024 and insists that “getting down” and protecting himself is a priority in 2025.