The Auburn Tigers football community is now fighting one of their biggest heartbreaks. On September 23, they lost their star legend, Rudi Johnson. The Auburn squad and the fans were not prepared for this, as Johnson was just 45 and was soon going to turn 46 on October 1, which is next Wednesday. But here we are writing farewell notes for Johnson, who has left for the heavenly abode. As per the reports, the former Tigers running back was found dead at his Florida home. The reported cause is s—-de. To cope with the loss, the Auburn alums are now left with the memories that they shared with Johnson.  

As soon as the confirmation came, Auburn Football released a statement to pay tribute to Johnson. On X, they wrote, “We mourn the loss of 2000 SEC Player of the Year Rudi Johnson. One of the best to ever wear the orange and blue. Rudi’s family, friends & teammates are in our prayers. #WarEagle🦅.” Days later, Johnson’s close pal and Auburn mate, former linebacker Takeo Spikes, poured his heart out about Johnson, with whom he had spent the best of times. 

On September 25, he shared a short clip with the caption, “Rest in Power Rudi Johnson, my @AuburnFootball & @Bengals brother. #wareagle #whodey.” In that clip, Spikes said, “I’m a boy. My brother, Rudy Johnson, my fellow Auburn Tiger, and also my fellow Cincinnati Bengals teammate. More than anything, that was my partner. I miss my boy. Gone way too early. Only 45 years old. Had a birthday coming up soon. He was always the same guy and his greeting was always the same to me. ‘What up, player, player? What up, player, player? What up, my dog? What up, my dog?’”

Known as the “Auburn Rambler,” Johnson began his collegiate career at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, leading the Grizzlies to back-to-back national championships. But he soon decided to move out and join Auburn in 2000. On the other hand, Spikes entered Auburn in 1997 and in that campaign, led the Tigers with 136 tackles as Auburn advanced to the SEC Championship game. So, even though their timelines did not match, Johnson and Spikes soon became the best of buddies. Now that he has lost a gem of a friend like Johnson, Spikes came with a plea for the fans. 

The former Cincinnati Bengals star said, “You never do know what somebody else is going through. You can be a beacon of light to somebody, or somebody can be a beacon of light to you. But that’ll never happen if we don’t talk to each other. Rudy may not mean to you what he meant to me, but you have a Rudy in your life. And so if you haven’t heard from them, reach out and see how they’re doing.” Not just Spikes, another Auburn alum, too, is moved by Johnson’s demise and paid his tributes.

A legacy of kindness and courage that Rudi Johnson left 

While Cole Cubelic today might be known as one of the leading college football analysts, he started off his career playing center at Auburn from 1996 to 2001. So, he too had crossed paths with Johnson. On September 25, Cubelic wrote on X, “War Eagle forever!” Johnson’s final year at Auburn was nothing short of legendary. He bulldozed defenses for 1,567 yards, set a school record with 324 carries, and dragged the Tigers into a conference title clash with Florida.

Dynamic and dependable, Johnson earned the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award. Not just his Auburn mates. His demise left a deep mark on the ones he crossed paths with and made the best memories in the NFL. For instance, former Cincinnati Bengals star Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson grieved the loss of his former Bengals teammate. Chad said,  “I just lost my dawg, I just lost my dawg yesterday, Rudi Johnson. And I’m upset. I’m upset, I’m hurt. Obviously, the great memories we had playing in Cincinnati and all that good stuff.”

He, too, like Spikes, reminded his fans to check on their loved ones. Ever since Johnson retired in 2009, he has been reported to be struggling with mental health. Going by the assumptions, his mental toil is linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma in football players, developed during his playing days. But he continued to give back to society through his philanthropic endeavors. 

While Rudi Johnson, in terms of games, gifted fans with some of the best times, beyond the gridiron, too, he won their hearts with kindness. Off the gridiron, Johnson poured his energy into the Rudi Johnson Foundation, established in 2005 to help underprivileged families. “Rudi was a warrior both on and off the field, but some battles are waged in silence. His light reached many, and we kindly request privacy as we grieve,” the foundation expressed. That’s the legacy the star leaves behind, cherished by the millions whose lives he touched.