Tre’ Johnson, an offensive lineman who spent most of his nine-year NFL career with the Washington franchise and later became a teacher in Maryland, died Sunday, according to his wife, Irene. He was 54.
Irene Johnson posted on social media that her husband died during a brief family trip.
“His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock,” she posted on Facebook. “If you know Tre’ you know what a devoted and loving father, he was to his children. Tre’ lived for his kid’s sports activities and supported them through every practice and game until he took his last breath. He shared his passion for Frenchie’s and riding his motorcycle with me and his fellow biking buddies.”
The Washington Commanders also posted on social media, saying they’re “heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre’ Johnson” and their “thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
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
Johnson played in the NFL from 1994 to 2002. The only season in which he didn’t play for Washington was in 2001, when he was with the Cleveland Browns.
In 1999, he was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro at guard and a Pro Bowl selection, helping Washington win the NFC East. That was also the only season Johnson made the playoffs. Washington won a wild-card game before being eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round.
In 2001, Washington released Johnson, and the Browns claimed him. He played three games that year before returning to Washington for his final season.
Johnson played at least 10 games in each of his first six seasons. Though he played a full 16 games in only one season (1999), he started every game he played from 1996 to 2001.
A product of Peekskill High School, about 35 miles north of New York, Johnson played at Temple, where he was listed at 6 feet and 300 pounds his senior season. In the 1994 NFL Draft, he was the second pick of the second round (the 31st selection).
“After retirement, he also found his second career passion, education,” Irene Johnson wrote on Facebook, adding that Tre’ Johnson taught history at the Landon School, a private school for boys in grades three through 12 in Bethesda, Md.
The Facebook post said recent battles with health issues forced Johnson to take a leave of absence.
Ed Durbin posted on social media that Johnson taught his sons at Landon. Durbin said he “loved going in for teacher parent day.”
“One of the smartest people I’ve ever known,” Durbin said of Johnson on X.