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Tracy Scroggins, former Lions linebacker and defensive end, dead at 56

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones02/10/26brianjones_93

Tracy Scroggins, a former NFL linebacker and defensive end who spent his entire career with the Detroit Lions, has died, according to TMZ Sports. He was 56 years old.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins,” the Scroggins family said in a statement sent to TMZ Sports. “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.”

The family added, “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. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.”

The Lions selected Scroggins in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft. In his 10 years in Detroit, the former Tulsa defender registered 321 tackles, 60.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries in 142 games.

More on Tracy Scroggins

Back in 2016, Scroggins filed a lawsuit against the NFL. He was seeking $5 million after he was preliminarily diagnosed with CTE. The suit said Scroggins has a preliminary diagnosis of CTE due to repeated head trauma.

Scroggins stated that the NFL players during the 1970s through the 1990s were coached to use their helmets as weapons against their opponents. “These techniques were condoned by the NFL and/or not significantly condemned by the NFL, despite the defendant’s awareness that this practice was causing an increased risk in repeated head trauma leading to CTE among players,” the claim stated, per CNN.

In the same year, Scroggins spoke to The Detroit News about how he should have stopped playing sooner. “I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “I think things happen, sometimes for a reason. But if I had the knowledge that players today have, I think that probably my career would’ve been five years shorter than it was.”