Former Peekskill High School graduate and Washington Redskins (now Commanders) offensive lineman Edward Stanton Johnson III — better known as Tré Johnson — died. He was 54 years old.
His wife, Irene, shared the news in a Facebook post on Sunday, Feb. 15, writing that Johnson “passed away suddenly and unexpectedly” during a family trip earlier that day. A cause of death was not disclosed, though she noted that Johnson had recently faced health challenges that required him to take a leave of absence from his job as a history teacher at the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland.
“His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ and Eden, extended friends, and I are devastated and in shock,” Irene wrote. “If you know Tre’ you know what a devoted and loving father he was to his children. Tré lived for his kids’ sports activities and supported them through every practice and game until he took his last breath.”
Born in New York City, Johnson was a standout football player at Peekskill High School, graduating in 1989, before continuing his career at Temple University. He was selected by Washington in the second round (31st overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft and played for the franchise from 1994 to 2000, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1999. He spent the 2001 season with the Cleveland Browns before returning to Washington for his final season in 2002. Over the course of his NFL career, Johnson appeared in 93 games, including 72 starts.
Tyrone Searight, coach of the Peekskill High School basketball team, fondly remembered his childhood friend and fellow teammate on the PHS football team. “He was my right-hand partner and best friend. I grew up with him, and his father looked after me a lot. We did a lot together,” Searight recalled about growing up on Harrison Avenue.
“He was a year younger than me but we played a lot of sports together. I was the outside line backer and he was the defensive end on the Peekskill football team.” Searight, who recognized early on that Johnson was talented, wasn’t surprised he made it to the NFL.
Searight had phoned Johnson only two months ago, asking him to come home to talk to students on the modified football team. “Last minute, he told me he couldn’t do it because of health reasons.”
Johnson was passionate about helping sports players, added Searight, returning to Peekskill for motivational talks when he could. “He was a good loving father, great friend and community member. He wanted to help the kids in football and would come back to the community whenever he could.”
According to a New York Times profile, although Johnson’s father, Edward “Cornflakes” Johnson, was a professional basketball player, football became Johnson’s passion at an early age. “I was fanatical,” Johnson told the Times. “Getting all the football I could, listening to broadcasts, watching ESPN.”
That passion translated onto the field. “Tre is the most physical athlete I’ve been around,” Washington head coach Norv Turner told the Times in 1995. “Plus, he’s intelligent and receptive to coaching.”
Teammate Rob Milstead echoed that sentiment in a 2000 Washington Post article, noting Johnson’s determination and work ethic. “You’ve got to realize something: Tre didn’t come from a big Division I powerhouse,” Milstead said. “He came from Temple University, and he’s had to work and scratch for everything he’s gotten. He’s having a Pro Bowl year, and all the people who doubted him can’t doubt him anymore.”
In Oct. 2013, Johnson and fellow Peekskill graduate and NFL player Billy Thomas became only the second and third athletes at the time to have their Red Devil jerseys retired during a special Alumni Day ceremony at Torpy Field, cementing their place in Peekskill sports history. After the ceremony, the pair posed for photos and signed autographs for fans and former teammates.
Following his retirement from football, Johnson began a second career in education, working as a history teacher in Bethesda. According to his wife, he was beloved by the young men he mentored and by colleagues and faculty.
His commitment to helping others dated back to his college years. The New York Times reported that after being redshirted during his first season at Temple, Johnson used his additional year of eligibility to earn a master’s degree in social studies alongside his undergraduate degree in social administration. He completed internships as a youth worker and interim probation officer in Philadelphia, reflecting his desire to make a difference beyond sports.
“I want to work with people who can use some help,” Johnson said at the time. “I’d like to get involved with athletes, tell them, show them, sports is not everything, there’s a real life outside it. ‘Hey, man, do the sports thing, but don’t forget there’s much more outside it.”
Following news of his death, tributes poured in across social media. The Washington Commanders wrote on X: “We’re heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tré Johnson. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Wendy Healy contributed reporting for this story.
