CARD: Score 2009 Gold Zone Certified ACQUIRED: eBay, 2025 FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
After honing his skills at RB in Junior College at Butler CC in 1998 and 1999, Rudi played in 2000 at Auburn.
He blew the barn doors off the SEC rushing a conference leading 324 times for 1567 yards (and 13 TDs).
A surprising 4th round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001.
Rode the bench primarily his first few seasons behind incumbent RB Corey Dillon.
Rudi stepped up after Dillon got injured in 2003 and never looked back.
Rushed for a career high 43 times for 182 yards and 2 TDs against the Texans that year.
Dillon was traded to the Patriots before the 2003 season clearing the way for Rudi to start in 2004.
He’d rush for 1454 yards on a career high 361 carries and 12 TDs.
Then in 2005, Johnson had a career high 1458 yards on 337 carries, again scoring 12 TDs.
And to finish the trifecta in 2006, Rudi ran 341 times for 1309 yards and another 12 TDs.
The 1000+ carries Rudi had over the last 3 seasons finally caught up to him, as in 2007 he spent 5 games on the bench due to injury.
Unable to find a trading partner, Rudi was cut at the end of camp by the Bengals who were making way for new blood at RB.
Rudi signed with and played his final season with the Detroit Lions running for 237 yards and a TD in 2008.
Johnson lived a private life and was involved in the community through his foundation post football, however he struggled mightily with the weight of mental health.
ACCOLADES:
Chesterfield County Sports Hall of Fame
Pro Bowl 2004
NJCAA Hall of Fame
NOTES:
A punishing runner who never shied from a hit, I’ve always wanted Rudi’s autograph on a card, and even though he’s most fondly remembered as a Bengal, I’ll take a certified on a set need from the Lions.
EPITAPH:
9/23/25- Rudi Johnson ended his life tragically at his own hands at the age of 45. He struggled with mental health after his playing career ended and it has been suggested that he was suffering from CTE.
In his final message to his fans via Youtube, Rudi encouraged everyone to, “Never give up.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health please contact the Nation Mental Health Hotline at 1-866-903-3737.
CARDS: Playoff 1994, UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Work SENT: 9/29 RECEIVED: 10/14 (15 Days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Van Malone played DB at Texas from 1990-’93.
Hard hitting safety and fearsome special teams player.
Drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
Saw action in 55 contests over NFL career, starting in 19 of them.
Posted 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 102 total tackles over 4 seasons.
Finished 1997 on IR and signed with the Arizona Cardinals after the season, but was released with an injury settlement.
Went into coaching and philantropy.
Climbed the coaching ranks from high school into college, where as of 2020 he is the Assistant Head Coach at Kansas State.
NOTES:
When I started the UT Upper Deck HACK collection, I thought to myself, I need deep cut players. Guys like Van Malone. Here at Texas, we all knew about the hard hitting, in the box, enforcing safety that was Van Malone. Like many other Lifetime Longhorns, I was surprised he was not in the set. I think the card I made completely encapsulates him and I captured it perfectly!
He hadn’t signed in a while, but I was confident, he’d take one look at the card, smile, and sign away. I tossed in the 1994 Playoff card to go along with it and crossed my fingers, sending it off to K-State. I was surprised to get it back just a bit over two weeks later, both signed in blue.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
