Former Steelers wide receiver Charles Johnson has died at the age of 50, as a North Carolina television station reported last night.
Johnson was the Steelers’ first-round pick in the 1994 draft. A cause of death was not reported.
Johnson played five seasons with the team, catching 247 passes for 3,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was a 1,000-yard receiver in 1996, recording 60 catches for 1,008 yards and three scores.
He was the first receiver chosen in the 1994 draft, and he drew high praise from coach Bill Cowher at the time. Johnson also played for Philadelphia, New England and Buffalo before retiring in 2002. He won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2001.