Former Detroit Lions Defensive End Tracy Scroggins Passes Away at 56
The NFL community is mourning the loss of former Detroit Lions player Tracy Scroggins, who has died at the age of 56. Scroggins, who dedicated his entire ten-season professional career to the Lions, passed away on Monday, as confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement.
A Career Defined by Tenacity and Achievement
Scroggins was a formidable defensive end for the Detroit Lions, amassing an impressive 60.5 sacks over his decade-long tenure in the league. His standout year came in 1995, when he recorded career highs with 9.5 sacks and 45 tackles, while also forcing two fumbles and returning one for a touchdown. Remarkably, he achieved at least six sacks in seven different seasons, showcasing his consistent playmaking ability.
Drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft, Scroggins appeared in 142 regular-season games, starting 89 of them. He was instrumental in helping Detroit reach the playoffs five times during his career, leaving a lasting legacy on the field.
A Life Marked by Struggle and Resilience
In their statement, the Scroggins family described Tracy as "a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend whose life was marked by remarkable strength and perseverance." They noted that while his NFL career allowed him to rise from poverty and pursue his lifelong dream, it also ultimately contributed to his untimely demise.
The family revealed that Scroggins had been courageously battling the devastating effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) throughout his retirement. CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma, commonly found in athletes involved in contact sports like football. The condition can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously through a neuropathological autopsy.
Legal Battles and Health Challenges
Scroggins was among nearly 5,000 former players who filed concussion-related lawsuits against the NFL prior to the league's comprehensive concussion settlement in 2015. In 2016, he pursued a separate, additional legal claim against the NFL, specifically citing CTE. At that time, he sought $5 million in damages after receiving a preliminary diagnosis of the brain disease.
His attorney, Tim Howard, detailed Scroggins' severe symptoms to USA TODAY Sports in 2016, stating that the former player struggled with significant memory loss, depression, and angry outbursts. "He can't remember where he is or where he's going," Howard explained, adding that Scroggins had been unable to maintain employment for over six years due to these cognitive and emotional challenges.
Early Life and Athletic Background
Born in Checotah, Oklahoma, Scroggins was a multi-sport athlete in high school, participating in football, basketball, and track. He continued his athletic career at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas before transferring to the University of Tulsa, where he excelled as a standout player.
The Scroggins family expressed profound sadness in their announcement but found solace in knowing that Tracy is finally at peace after his long and difficult struggle. "While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace," they stated. No cause of death has been officially released, and it remains unclear whether his family will opt for a postmortem brain examination to confirm CTE.
