Former Steeler Charles Johnson Dies At 50 In North Carolina

PITTSBURGH, PA — Former Steelers wide receiver Charles Johnson died Wednesday in Raleigh, N.C., his alma mater confirmed. He was 50 years old.

Johnson was a Colorado University receiver, and the Steelers selected him 17th overall in the 1994 NFL draft.

WNCN-TV reported Wednesday that police found Johnson's body in a hotel room Sunday during a welfare check, and that a preliminary investigation indicated no signs of foul play.

He spent five seasons with the Steelers, two with Philadelphia, helped New England win the Super Bowl in the 2001 season and ended his career with Buffalo in 2002.

Johnson worked as an assistant athletic director at Heritage High School in Wake Forest.

“Words simply can’t explain or identify who C.J. was to many,” said former quarterback Kordell Stewart, Johnson’s Colorado and Pittsburgh teammate. “I’m not sure how to process this properly — we’ve been friends for over 30 years — but just know C.J. will be missed. My heart goes out to Tanisha (his wife), their kids and family. May God bless them and keep them during these trying times.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.