Ex-Lions Star Tracy Scroggins Passes Away at 56, Blamed on CTE

Former Detroit Lions star Tracy Scroggins has passed away at the age of 56.

Scroggins' family announced his death in a statement to TMZ on Monday, February 9, describing him as a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend known for his strength and perseverance.

Having played as a linebacker and defensive end in the NFL for a decade, his family suggested that the physical nature of football may have contributed to his untimely demise.

The family revealed that Scroggins battled chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease likely caused by repeated head injuries, during his retirement.

Former NFL player Kevin Johnson, a defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, has been determined to have died from blunt head trauma and stab wounds, with his death investigated as a homicide.

CTE, which causes nerve cell degeneration in the brain, has been linked to contact sports like football and can only be diagnosed postmortem through an autopsy.

Scroggins, who spent his entire NFL career with the Detroit Lions, will be remembered not only for his football accomplishments but also for his kindness and generosity off the field.

The family of Tracy Scroggins has announced that funeral services will be held in his hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma, on Friday, February 27, thanking everyone for their support during this tough time.