Former Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions football player Rudi Johnson has died by suicide in Florida, according to TMZ Sports and multiple media reports. "We mourn the loss of 2000 SEC Player of the Year Rudi Johnson. Who was Rudi Johnson? Johnson, a star at Auburn, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2001 NFL Draft. In 2008, Johnson was limited by injuries, playing 14 games and starting only four.