Charles Johnson, former first-round NFL Draft pick, dies at 50

July 20 (UPI) -- Charles Johnson, the No. 17 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, who played five seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and teamed up with Tom Brady to win a Super Bowl, has died. He was 50.

Sources told ABC 11 and CBS 17 on Tuesday about Johnson's death, but a cause was not released. Heritage High School in Wake Forest, N.C., where Johnson worked as an assistant athletic director, confirmed his death in several social media posts.

Johnson also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills over his nine-year NFL career. He won a Super Bowl ring in 2002 with Brady and the Patriots.

Johnson had one of his best seasons in 1996, when he made 60 catches for 1,008 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games for the Steelers. He scored seven touchdowns in 1998 for the Steelers and in 2000 for the Eagles.

He totaled 4,606 yards and 24 touchdowns on 354 catches in 133 career appearances.