Former Washington Pro Bowl guard Tre’ Johnson has died “suddenly and unexpectedly” at 54 while on a family trip, according to his wife.
Johnson, who spent the bulk of his NFL career with Washington and also played for the Cleveland Browns, died Sunday, his wife Irene Johnson announced in a Facebook post.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my husband, Tre’ Johnson, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday February 15, 2026, during a brief family trip,” she wrote.
“His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock. We will miss him so much.”
A cause of death was not immediately released. Irene Johnson said her husband had been dealing with health issues prior to his passing.
Johnson carved out a tough, dependable career in the trenches after Washington selected him in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Temple University. The 6-foot-2, 328-pound offensive guard quickly became a fixture on the line, earning a reputation for durability and physical play.
He played in Washington from 1994 through 2000, spent the 2001 season with Cleveland and returned to Washington for his final NFL campaign in 2002. Irene Johnson said he was known for his “durability and strength” during his years with the franchise.
Johnson earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1999, cementing his place among the league’s top interior linemen during his prime.
We’re heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre’ Johnson. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/6Iak2dhYwk
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 16, 2026
After hanging up his cleats, Johnson transitioned from the gridiron to the classroom. He became a history teacher at the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, a private school just outside Washington. According to his wife, he had recently taken a leave of absence.
Beyond football and teaching, Irene Johnson described her husband as a “devoted father” who loved his family, French bulldogs and motorbikes.
Washington’s NFL franchise, now known as the Commanders, issued a statement mourning his death.
“We’re heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre’ Johnson,” the team wrote on X.
Johnson’s passing stunned former teammates and fans who remembered him as a steady presence on the offensive line during the 1990s. He played alongside franchise legends and helped anchor a unit that powered Washington’s offense through multiple seasons.
He is survived by his wife and four children.
Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of early Monday.
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