Rudi Johnson, a former Pro Bowl running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, has died at 45, the team announced.

His cause of death was not released following the announcement on Sept. 23.

A statement to NBC News by his agent, Peter Schaffer, said Johnson's death "must also serve as a call to action."

Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson has died at 45. Andy Lyons / Getty Images

"The NFL and the scientific community must do more — more research into CTE, more innovation into how we can treat it, prevent it, and provide support to those living with it," he continued. "Players past, present, and future deserve nothing less."

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is an incurable, degenerative brain disease that affects people who have experienced repeated traumatic bra

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