Sports
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.
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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The Boxing Day weekend continues with some great matches this Saturday!
The day began with Manchester City grabbing a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest to go one point clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. However, the Gunners then regain their two-point lead at the summit with a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, while reigning champions Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers by 2-1 thanks in part to Florian Wirtz‘s first goal for the club.
Finally, we finished the day with fourth-placed Chelsea losing to third-placed Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, 2-1.
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Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett is on the verge of NFL history, as he is just a half-sack away from tying the single-season record set by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt.
Garrett, 29, said it would be “special” to break the record by sacking Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“It’d be special. He’s legendary himself. And it’s a legendary record I’m out here chasing. So that’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with,” Garrett said at a press conference Friday.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) warms up before an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 9, 2025. (IMAGN)
Rodgers is quick to get the ball out, and Garrett said it’s important to take away his easy reads.
“Gotta take away those easy access throws, make him look at his second read, and he’s gotta keep rushing. There’ll be (opportunities) if we continue to get stops during the game, and he can’t continue to lean on those quick passes, when you gotta score points,” Garrett said.
The Browns, who are 3-12, play the Steelers at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Steelers would clinch the AFC North and a playoff spot with a win over the Browns.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Garrett hopes the Browns play spoiler, so if he sets the record on Sunday, he would do it in a win.
“Yeah, I just play. I want to get it, and you know, like I said, I want to win while doing it. And I think we have the guys who are locked in who want to do that as well,” Garrett said.
The seven-time Pro Bowler said there is no pressure that comes with the record looming.
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“Pressure? Nah, no pressure. Like I said, it’s going down. So, I’m not stressed or worried about if I’m going to get it. Just a matter of when,” Garrett said.
Garrett has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The four-time All-Pro has an astounding 124.5 sacks in 132 career games.
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Sports
Giants star Malik Nabers pokes fun at own season-ending injury, fantasy football in hilarious commercial
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The NFL’s regular season is ending soon, which means that fantasy football seasons are also coming to a close.
But while the season may be ending, the fantasy football punishments are only just beginning. For the player who finishes in last place, one common punishment is that they have to spend 24 hours in a bar, or at an IHOP eating pancakes.
New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers was drafted in the first round by many players, but the second-year wide receiver tore his ACL in Week 4. The Giants certainly missed him in the lineup, as did a lot of fantasy football players, whose teams looked a lot different without Nabers.
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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) looks on before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on Sept 21, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Nabers and IHOP partnered to make a hilarious commercial, which made fun of his injury and the impact it had on fantasy football players.
“Every year, thousands of fantasy football leagues make their last-place team spend 24 hours at IHOP eating pancakes,” Nabers said.
A waitress then interrupted and said, “Just like you helped everyone’s fantasy team this season?”
RAIDERS STAR MAXX CROSBY LEAVES TEAM FACILITY AFTER GETTING RULED OUT IN GAME FOR NO 1 PICK
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is carted off the field following an injury during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Nabers was eating pancakes, with his crutches next to him, when a kid walked up and asked the Giants star if it was actually him.
After Nabers confirmed it was himself, the kid yelled, “I wasted my first-round pick on you!”
The 22-year-old was on his way to making his second season look a lot like his rookie season. As a rookie, Nabers had 109 receptions for 1,204 yards with seven touchdowns.
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Nabers set the record for most catches ever by a rookie wide receiver. In four games before tearing his ACL, the former LSU star had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Fantasy owners who draft Nabers next season hope that he will regain his form and that they will avoid last place.
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