Former Detroit Lions linebacker and defensive end, Tracy Scroggins died on February 9, 2026, at the age of 56. Team Lions officially announced his passing on Monday evening. Tracy Scroggins’ family revealed that he had been courageously battling a chronic ailment during his NFL retirement period, which ultimately claimed his life. The bereaved family announced his passing with immense grief, praising the man whose life was marked by strength and perseverance. As the news broke, an outpouring of condolences was seen from his fans. Here’s everything we know about the reason for his demise.
What was Tracy Scroggins’ cause of death?
While the Detroit Lions have not released a specific cause of Tracy Scroggins’ death, his family reportedly attributed his untimely demise to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In a statement released to media outlet, TMZ, his family shared that he spent “every moment of retirement courageously battling the devastating effects of CTE” following his 10-year NFL career. They explicitly cited the NFL as Tracy’s reason for demise, as he suffered from repeated head trauma from the gameplay. Prior to his passing, his attorney noted that he suffered from severe memory loss, depression, and bouts of anger.
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