Former Detroit Lions star Tracy Scroggins has died. He was 56.
“It’s with profound disappointment that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins,” the late NFL participant’s household informed TMZ in an announcement on Monday, February 9. “Tracy was a faithful father, cherished member of the family, and dependable buddy whose life was marked by outstanding energy and perseverance.”
Scroggins’ household famous how a lot he liked taking part in soccer — he was a linebacker and defensive finish within the NFL for a decade — however pointed to the physicality of the game as a attainable consider his early loss of life.
“Taking part in within the NFL gave Tracy the chance to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty,” the assertion continued. “Nonetheless, sadly, the NFL was additionally in the end the reason for his premature demise.”
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The household defined: “Tracy spent each second of retirement courageously battling the devastating results of CTE. Whereas our hearts are heavy, we discover consolation in understanding that he’s lastly at peace.”
Based on his family members, Scroggins suffered from continual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a mind illness “probably attributable to repeated head accidents,” per the Mayo Clinic.
CTE causes degeneration of nerve cells within the mind and will get worse over time, however can solely be identified after loss of life by way of an post-mortem. (Scroggins’ household has not publicly shared whether or not they may have an post-mortem carried out on Scroggins’ mind.)
The Mayo Clinic notes that CTE has been present in contact sports activities equivalent to soccer and boxing and may happen in army vets “uncovered to explosive blasts.”
Signs are thought to develop “years to a long time after head trauma happens,” and might embrace hassle with “considering and feelings,” decline in motor expertise and an uptick in impulsive conduct, per the non-profit healthcare group.
Previous to his loss of life, Scroggins made a reputation for himself as a soccer participant. The Oklahoma native attended Coffeyville Group Faculty earlier than transferring to the College of Tulsa and taking part in for the Golden Hurricane.
Tracy Scroggins tackles Raymond Harris.
Matthew Stockman /AllsportScroggins was chosen within the second spherical of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He performed his whole profession with the franchise, retiring after 10 years following the top of the 2001 season.
The Lions mourned the loss of Scroggins by way of a social media assertion on Monday, sharing a photograph of the previous athlete throughout his tenure with the group.
“We be a part of the NFL group in mourning the lack of Lions Legend Tracy Scroggins, who performed his whole 10-year profession in Detroit (1992-2001),” the crew wrote by way of X.
Many former soccer stars, each on the collegiate and NFL ranges, have died in 2025. Thank You! You have got efficiently subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a legitimate e-mail. Subscribe By signing up, I conform to the Phrases and Privateness Coverage and to obtain emails from Us Weekly Deal of the Day Consumers Say This (…)
Scroggins’ household, in the meantime, reminded followers that the late participant’s legacy is greater than what he did on the sphere.
“Whereas many knew him for his profession as knowledgeable soccer participant within the NFL, these closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted and beneficiant man who cared deeply for his household and buddies,” his internal circle stated within the Monday assertion.
The household added that funeral providers shall be held in Scroggins’ hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma, on Friday, February 27.
“Thanks for all of the outpouring of assist, prayers and condolences throughout this troublesome time,” the assertion concluded.