A former NFL star shared a message of positivity and urged high school students to “never give up” just days before his death by suicide earlier this week.

Rudi Johnson recorded a message for his induction into the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame, which represents the area of Virginia where he was born and raised.

“I want to give a special shutout to all the people who came before me, the alumni from Thomas Dale High School and Ettrick Trojans,” Johnson said in a taped message after being inducted as part of the hall’s 2025 class last weekend. “Also, the same people that came after me.

“So, with that being said, I just want to say dream big, shoot for the stars, stay focused, never give up.

“And one more thing: For the all kids from Chesterfield County, I’ll be watching for the next s

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