FORMER Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died after committing suicide. 3 Rudi Johnson died at the age of 45 Credit: Getty3 Reports indicate that Johnson died by suicide Credit: GettyJohnson was 45 years old at the time of his death. 3 Johnson last played in the NFL in 2008 Credit: GettyJohnson also added 676 receiving yards and two touchdowns. According to TMZ, Johnson was helping people on and off the football field in the days before his death. He established the Rudi Johnson Foundation in 2005.