Former Pro Bowl running back Rudi Johnson — a three-time 1,000-yard rusher who holds multiple records for the Cincinnati Bengals — has died, and his agent said the NFL must do more to combat CTE.

He was 45.

“Rudi was a fine person and an excellent running back for us,” according to a statement from Bengals president Mike Brown.

"He was dependable and productive as a player, and very popular among his teammates. Everyone liked him and saw him as a dear friend. We are deeply saddened by his passing.”

Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, said he hopes the running back's passing will spur more research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) , a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.

"These tragic circumstances must also serve as a call to action," Schaffer sai

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