Packers Starting RB Sends Condolences After Former NFL Star Passes Away at 45 Due to CTE – Speaks Out Against Tush Push Play Linked to Head Trauma
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Packers Starting RB Sends Condolences After Former NFL Star Passes Away at 45 Due to CTE – Speaks Out Against Tush Push Play Linked to Head Trauma
The NFL community has been shaken once again by tragedy. Former Pro Bowl running back Rudi Johnson, once a cornerstone of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense, has passed away at the age of 45. Reports confirm that his death was the result of taking his own life, linked to complications from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) — a condition that has become all too familiar in the football world.
Johnson’s career was defined by toughness and grit, but his passing highlights the dark reality facing many retired players. CTE, caused by repeated head trauma, has been at the center of debates surrounding the league’s safety policies for years. His death adds another heartbreaking chapter to that ongoing conversation.
In the aftermath of the news, one current NFL running back spoke publicly, not only to honor Johnson’s memory but also to draw attention to what he believes is one of the league’s most dangerous tactics. “My condolences go out to his family. There is nothing more painful than choosing to leave this world. A football career is so short, and CTE is something any of us could face if the Tush Push continues to be used. I truly believe that play should not exist in this game. After retirement, we should have fewer stories like this, not more.”
The “Tush Push” or “Brotherly Shove,” made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles, has been one of the most polarizing plays in the league. While undeniably effective in short-yardage situations, critics argue that the mass of bodies, low leverage, and repeated head-first collisions increase the risk of serious long-term injuries. For a veteran voice in the league to openly call for its removal adds weight to the growing pressure on NFL leadership to reassess its stance.
This isn’t the first time concerns over CTE have been raised, but moments like this drive the point home with painful clarity. Johnson’s death is a reminder that while the game offers glory on Sundays, the price paid can extend far beyond the field.
The player who delivered this heartfelt message is none other than Josh Jacobs, the Green Bay Packers’ starting running back, using his platform to honor a fallen predecessor and urge the league to act before more lives are cut short.
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