FORMER Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died after committing suicide.

Reports from TMZ indicate that Johnson had been "struggling with mental health issues and the possible effects of CTE that he could not overcome."

Johnson was 45 years old at the time of his death .

He would have turned 46 next week.

He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2001 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals .

The star running back was drafted out of Auburn.

Johnson spent most of his NFL as a member of the Bengals.

He appeared in 81 games, starting 59 of them.

Johnson had three years in a row where he ran for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He was rewarded with a Pro Bowl selection for his work in 2004.

The Bengals appeared in just one playoff game during his tenure.

"Rudi was a fine p

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