Rudi Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rudi Johnson

Johnson prior to the 2007 Monday Night opener
No. 32
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1979-10-01)October 1, 1979 Ettrick, Virginia, U.S.
Died:	September 23, 2025(2025-09-23) (aged 45) Florida, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:	Thomas Dale (Chester, Virginia)
College:	Butler CC (1998–1999) Auburn (2000)
NFL Draft:	2001 / Round: 4 / Pick: 100
Career history
Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2007) Detroit Lions (2008)
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2004) Second-team All-American (2000) SEC Player of the Year (2000) First-team All-SEC (2000)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts: 1,517 Rushing yards: 5,979 Rushing touchdowns: 49 Receptions: 113 Receiving yards: 676 Receiving touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Burudi Ali Johnson (born October 1, 1979, and passed away on September 23, 2025) was a talented American football player. He played as a running back for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). The Cincinnati Bengals chose him in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. Rudi was picked for the Pro Bowl in 2004 because he was the top rusher for his team in the AFC. People called him the "Auburn Rambler" because of his strong and determined way of running with the ball.

Rudi Johnson's Early Life and Football Start

Rudi Johnson was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on October 1, 1979. His first name, Burudi, means "cool" in Swahili. His middle name, Ali, showed his family's respect for the famous boxer Muhammad Ali. Rudi started playing football when he was just six years old with a team called the Ettrick Trojans.

In high school football, he played for the Thomas Dale Knights. He was good at both offense and defense. During his time there, he broke the school's record for rushing yards, which was a big achievement! After high school, he went to Butler Community College in Kansas.

Rudi Johnson's College Football Journey

Playing at Butler Community College

Rudi played football for two years at Butler Community College. He helped his team win two national championships! In one amazing game against Dixie College, he ran for 375 yards and scored seven touchdowns. This incredible performance helped him become the NJCAA "Player of the Year." Later, he was even added to the NJCAA Hall of Fame.

Time at Auburn University

After Butler, Rudi went to Auburn University. There, he ran for 1,567 yards, which was the second-highest in the school's history for a single season. He also set a school record with 324 rushing attempts in one season. Rudi had ten games where he ran for over 100 yards! He was named the SEC Player of the Year. He studied sociology while at Auburn. Some of his teammates, like Heath Evans and Ronnie Brown, also became NFL players.

Rudi Johnson's NFL Career Highlights

Getting Ready for the NFL Draft

Before joining the NFL, Rudi Johnson showed off his skills at the NFL Combine. This event helps teams see how strong and fast players are. Here are some of his measurements:

Playing for the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals picked Rudi in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. At first, he didn't play much. He was a backup to a great player named Corey Dillon.

In the 2003 season, Rudi got his chance to start when Dillon was injured. He had some amazing games, including one where he ran for 182 yards and two touchdowns! He finished that season with 957 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

After Dillon left, Rudi became the main starter in 2004. He had an incredible year, setting a team record with 1,454 rushing yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. This earned him a spot on the Pro Bowl team!

In the 2005 season, Rudi helped the Bengals reach the playoffs for the first time in 15 years! He continued to be a strong runner, working with quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Johnson. He broke his own record with 1,458 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He even scored a touchdown in his first playoff game.

Rudi continued to play well in the 2006 season, rushing for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. In the 2007 season, injuries kept him from playing as much. In August 2008, the Bengals decided to release him from the team.

Time with the Detroit Lions

Rudi then signed with the Detroit Lions for one season in 2008. He played in 14 games, gaining 237 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). The 2008 season was his last time playing in the NFL.

Rudi Johnson's Community Work

In July 2005, Rudi Johnson started the Rudi Johnson Foundation. This foundation helps families and children learn to be independent and strong. It runs many programs in the community. In 2007, another NFL player, James Farrior, joined the effort with his own foundation.

Rudi's foundation helped start the very first football team at Clark Montessori High School in Cincinnati. The foundation also strongly supports Be The Match, which is a national registry for people who want to donate bone marrow. They often hold events to find more donors, especially from diverse backgrounds.

Rudi Johnson's Passing

Rudi Johnson passed away in Florida on September 23, 2025. He was 45 years old.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs