DETROIT - Tracy Scroggins, a former Detroit Lions defender who spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the franchise, died Feb. 9 at the age of 56. His family announced his passing on Friday, stating that the former player spent his retirement years battling the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Scroggins was a cornerstone of the Lions’ defense during the 1990s, recording 60.5 career sacks. In a statement provided to TMZ, his family described him as a devoted father and loyal friend whose life was marked by strength and perseverance. They noted that those closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted man who cared deeply for his family and friends beyond his career as a professional athlete.
Selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft out of Tulsa, Scroggins played 142 games for the Lions. He recorded 89 starts while playing both defensive end and linebacker. During his decade-long tenure, he recorded 60.5 career sacks, which ranks seventh in the history of the franchise.
The Scroggins family emphasized that while football allowed him to escape poverty, the physical toll of the game was severe. “Playing in the NFL gave Tracy the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty,” the family said in a statement. “However, unfortunately, the NFL was also ultimately the cause of his untimely demise. Tracy spent every moment of retirement courageously battling the devastating effects of CTE. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.”
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts. The condition can only be diagnosed through a neuropathological autopsy after death. While the family stated Scroggins suffered from the condition during his retirement, it is currently unclear if they intend to have his brain tested for a formal diagnosis.
Scroggins was one of nearly 5,000 former players who filed lawsuits against the NFL regarding concussion-related injuries. These legal actions preceded the league’s comprehensive concussion settlement reached in 2015. Many former players involved in the litigation alleged the league failed to warn them about the long-term risks of head trauma.
In 2016, Scroggins filed an additional claim against the league. At the time, his lawyer, Tim Howard, stated that his client was experiencing symptoms consistent with the brain disease. Howard noted that Scroggins’ struggles during his post-playing career were directly related to his time on the field.