Tracy Scroggins’ cause of death revealed: Former Lions star’s passing highlights football’s long-term risks

The NFL world is mourning the loss of Tracy Scroggins, a former Detroit Lions defender who has died at the age of 56. His family confirmed his passing in a statement shared with TMZ Sports, honoring not only the player he was but also the great individual he was long after his NFL career ended.

Their message also revealed the cause of death, connecting it to the long-term effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE, a disease linked to repeated head trauma. Scroggins spent his entire 10-year career in Detroit, a rare feat in pro football and one that made him a familiar name to Lions fans throughout the 1990s.

A decade-long Lions career followed by a long fight away from the spotlight

Scroggins was drafted in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft, selected 53rd overall out of Tulsa. He entered the league as a linebacker and defensive end and quickly built a reputation as a dependable, physical defender. Over 142 career games, Scroggins posted 321 tackles, 60.5 sacks, and one interception.


More importantly, he stayed with the Detroit Lions from start to finish. He retired after the 2001 season without ever playing for another team, something that is increasingly rare in today’s NFL. But his family’s statement focused less on his NFL career and more on the person behind it.

Their statement read, "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins. Tracy was a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend whose life was marked by remarkable strength and perseverance. While many knew him for his career as a professional football player in the NFL, those closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted and generous man who cared deeply for his family and friends."

They also addressed how the NFL proved to be a double-edged sword for Scorggins. Their statement continued, "Playing in the NFL gave Tracy the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty. 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.”

In 2016, Scroggins filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming he suffered from CTE-related symptoms. He was one of nearly 5,000 former players who brought concussion-related claims against the league. For Lions fans, Scroggins will be remembered as a tough defender. For his family, he will be remembered as a fighter who never stopped battling whatever came his way.


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