By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A few days ago, in her Ettrick, Va., home, Janice Johnson got out a poem she saved that had been written by her son, Rudi, when he was in the third grade.

Titled "I Wish," the poem is dated Jan. 29, 1989, and shows that at least one 9-year-old boy's dream came true - even if geography didn't cooperate.

I wish to be a football player when I grow up and play for the Minnesota Vikings and be a fullback and play for 21 years.

Rudi Johnson is three years toward that 21-year goal, and the future looks bright after his two impressive starts - the first two of his career - this season for the Bengals.

He rushed for a career high 101 yards on Sunday, in the Bengals 27-24 upset of Seattle, and is the team's leading rusher with 226 yards through seven games.

Known as a durable runner with a low center of gravity, the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Johnson started showing his style as a preschooler.

Rudi would attend his brother's youth league games in a toy uniform and run around the sidelines.

"He would bump into all these people and never fall down," Janice Johnson said Monday.

Seattle defenders had a hard time knocking Rudi off his feet Sunday. Johnson saw the clips of his big game on the ESPN highlight show.

The national attention didn't affect him, just as the post-game news conference behind a podium didn't change his demeanor.

Johnson got up Monday morning at his home in the Embassy Suites Hotel in Covington, drove across to the river to Paul Brown Stadium and went back to work.

By 1 in the afternoon, Johnson was in the stadium weight room with Bengals strength coach Chip Morton for a one-on-one workout.

Even if starter Corey Dillon returns for Sunday's game at Arizona, as expected, Johnson said he would be ready - just as he was ready Sunday when informed he would make his second career start just an hour before game time.

Johnson showed no nerves on the outside. That's his way. Teammates say they sometimes are tempted to check for Johnson's pulse.

He's calm and quiet, and his silent way belies one of his namesakes. His middle name is Ali, after Muhammad Ali. Janice Johnson gave her son the name to honor the boxer's integrity and strength.

Around family and friends, though, Rudi will talk. When Ettrick's Thomas Dale High School retired Rudi's No. 2 jersey a few years back, Rudi gave a speech, and his mom and coaches didn't think he'd ever stop talking.

"I keep to myself," Rudi said Monday before his workout. "What you see is what you get. I'm just getting prepared during the week so when Sunday comes (I'm) not surprised."

He's a low-maintenance guy. He behaves that way, and he likes to live that way.

The Bengals fourth-round pick in 2001 from Auburn, Johnson bought a condo as a rookie. Sold it, too much trouble. He owns a house in Virginia Beach. He moved into the Hampton Inn in Covington for his second year.

Johnson moved to the Embassy Suites this year, which also brought a move from third to second on the depth chart, supplanting his closest Bengal friend, Brandon Bennett. Johnson's climb started with a renewed willingness to play special teams. It's an example of how Johnson treats the game with the same respect he showed at age 9.

I will retire from football and then I'll know I earned the money and the right to play football.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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