Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Charles Johnson was found dead in a Hampton Inn hotel room, in North Carolina, on July 17, 2022. He was less than 7 miles from his home. The state medical examiner has now ruled his tragic death a suicide.
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Johnson attended the University of Colorado where he played with future teammate, Kordell Stewart. The two would be reunited in 1995 when Stewart would be drafted by the Steelers. Johnson was drafted the year prior by the Steelers with the 17th pick in the first round.
He played for the Steelers from 1994-98 and had 247 catches for 3,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. His best season was in 1996 when he had 60 catches for 1,008 yards with three touchdowns. He was on injured reserve when the Steelers lost to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX.
He joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 1999 and played for two seasons. He had 90 catches for 1,056 yards and eight touchdowns. He was released in 2001, and he signed with the New England Patriots where he would win a Super Bowl. He closed out his career with the 2002 season playing for the Buffalo Bills. He ended his career with 354 catches for 4,606 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Since retiring from the NFL, Johnson has been an assistant athletic director/coach for Heritage High School in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He was partnered there with other former NFL players like Dewayne Washington, who is the head coach, and Willie Parker and Torry Holt, who are both assistants.
Steelers WR Johnson's Death Ruled Suicide
According to reports obtained by USA TODAY, in the days leading up to his death, Johnson, age 50, had been “acting strange” and had “purchased a funeral and cremation service.”
The police in Raleigh, NC, found his body when the hotel called for a welfare check on Johnson's room and pronounced him dead at the scene. He was supposed to check out on the 17th, but did not. According to the same report, Johnson rented the room on the 15th, drove home, and left his wallet, cell phone, and keys there before returning to the hotel. He also left his vehicle at his home. The only items the police found in the hotel room were “two empty bottles of water, an empty travel container, a pair of sandals, and a pair of eyeglasses.”
Johnson was reported missing by his wife the day before his body was discovered.
Johnson had a clean bill of health and was not receiving any ongoing medical treatments or taking any prescription drugs. The report after his death showed, “acute oxycodone, hydrocodone, and mirtazapine toxicity.”
His death will undoubtedly raise concerns over the long-term effects of playing professional football. According to USA TODAY, Johnson filed a workers compensation case in California. He claimed to suffer from brain, head, spine, and neck injuries as a result of his nine-year career. He was considered permanently disabled.
Johnson is remembered as a cheerful and giving coach and friend.
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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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