Alabama athletic director Bill Battle issued a statement in the wake of former Alabama player Kevin Turner’s death after a long battle with ALS on Thursday. 

“The Crimson Tide family lost a true warrior today with the passing of Kevin Turner, our former fullback who was one of the captains of our football team in 1991,” Battle said. “Kevin’s spirit, his toughness, and his courage in life and on the football field inspired us all. Kevin and his family are in our thoughts and prayers on this sad day.”

Turner became an outspoken advocate for retired players’ rights and research into the link between football and CTE after developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis following his playing career. The disease, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, catastrophically affects the nervous system. Studies have shown that former NFL players are four times as likely to suffer from diseases like ALS or Alzheimers’ than the general public. 

Turner was drafted in 1992 after his Alabama career. He averaged 4.7 yard per carry and developed a reputation as a hard hitting fullback. 

Read more about Turner’s struggle with ALS here. 

Rest in peace, Kevin. Condolences to the Turner family on this sad day. pic.twitter.com/E96idQE5V4

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) March 24, 2016