It’s never fun to learn about someone passing away. And if you are a fan of the New England Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers this might hit you a little harder than the rest of us as a Patriots Super Bowl champion has sadly passed away and his death? It has been labeled a suicide.

Per SI;

Former NFL wide receiver Charles Johnson’s death was ruled a suicide after it was determined that he overdosed on drugs inside of a North Carolina hotel room, according to a report released by the state’s medical examiner’s office.

USA TODAY Sports obtained Johnson’s report and found that the 50-year-old was found dead, lying on the bed inside a room at Hampton Inn that was 6.5 miles from his home on July 17. A week before he died, the report stated that Johnson had been “acting strange” and had “purchased a funeral and cremation service.”

Raleigh police officers found Johnson when the hotel placed a call for a welfare check inside of a room that he failed to check out of on July 17. Per the report, Johnson purchased the room on July 15, went home and returned to the hotel without several important items that included his wallet, cell phone and keys.

Johnson also left his car at his residence. According to the report, the only items inside his hotel room were “two empty bottles of water, an empty travel container, a pair or sandals and a pair of eyeglasses.” He also had not been taking any active prescription drugs and maintained a clean medical history. However, the report indicated “acute oxycodone, hydrocodone and mirtazapine toxicity” after Johnson died.

Talk about a very sad situation for his entire loved ones.

Johnson played for five NFL seasons after he was drafted by the Steelers drafted Johnson in the 1994 NFL. Then following his stint in Pittsburgh, Johnson played for the Eagles from 1998 to 2000 before he joined the Patriots and won a Super Bowl during the ’01 season.

His last NFL stop was with the Bills in ’02 before retiring.

He was working as the assistant athletic director at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, N.C. at the time of his death.

It is sad to hear that leading up to his suicide he was acting strange. It hits hard. I’ve been suicidal at times and hearing these stories makes me so sad. And when this continues to happen to former athletes who took hits to the head and sometimes their life feels pointless after ball is sad.

We are sending out our thoughts and prayers to everyone surrounding him.

Shares:

Drop a Reply