The Washington Commanders family-and really, the broader football community-is mourning the loss of one of its most dependable linemen from the 1990s. Tre’ Johnson, a former Pro Bowl guard who spent the majority of his NFL career anchoring the trenches in D.C., passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 15, 2026. He was just 54.
Johnson’s wife, Irene, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, revealing that he died unexpectedly during a short family trip. The Commanders later confirmed the loss, calling the organization “heartbroken” and extending their condolences to his wife and four children.
Tre’ Johnson, born Edward Stanton Johnson III, was the kind of player every offensive line dreams of having. Drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Temple University, Johnson brought size, strength, and smarts to the Washington front line. At 6-foot-2 and 326 pounds, he wasn’t just a big body-he was a technician, a tone-setter, and a leader in the locker room.
His breakout year came in 1999, when everything clicked. Johnson started all 16 games, earned Second-team All-Pro honors, and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
That season, Washington captured the NFC East title, and Johnson’s steady presence up front was a major reason why. He wasn’t flashy, but he was relentless.
The kind of lineman who made his quarterback’s life easier and his running back’s job possible.
Though he spent one season with the Cleveland Browns in 2001, Johnson returned to Washington in 2002 to close out his nine-year NFL career. In total, he played in 93 games and started 72.
His impact, however, can’t be measured by numbers alone. He was respected by teammates for his toughness, his consistency, and his ability to lead by example.
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’s excellence on the field earned him a spot in the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame-an honor that speaks to the legacy he left both at the college level and in the pros.
But what truly sets Johnson apart is what he did after football. After hanging up his cleats, he stepped into a new role: educator and mentor.
He became a history teacher and coach at the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, where he found a second calling shaping young lives. Students and colleagues alike saw him not just as a former NFL player, but as someone who genuinely cared.
He brought the same passion and discipline to the classroom and the field that he once brought to Sunday afternoons in the NFL.
In recent months, health issues had forced him to take a leave of absence from teaching. While the exact cause of his passing has not been disclosed, the shock and sadness surrounding his sudden death are deeply felt.
Tre’ Johnson leaves behind a powerful legacy-one built on grit, leadership, and heart. On the field, he was a warrior in the trenches.
Off it, he was a mentor, a teacher, and a beloved member of his community. The Commanders, his former teammates, and the many students whose lives he touched will remember him not just for the blocks he made, but for the lives he helped shape.