Detroit Lions linebacker Tracy Scroggins during a 1995 NFC wild-card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles Dec. 30, 1995, at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia (Greg Crisp/Getty Images)
Former Detroit Lions linebacker Tracy Scroggins has passed away February 9, 2026 at the age of 56, leaving behind a legacy defined by toughness, leadership, and relentless effort on the football field.
Scroggins spent 10 seasons in the NFL, the majority of them with the Lions after being selected in the third round of the 1992 NFL Draft out of Tulsa. Known for his physical style of play and high motor, he became a respected veteran presence on Detroit’s defense throughout the 1990s.
During his NFL career, Scroggins totaled more than 550 tackles and 27 sacks while also spending time with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring from professional football.
While fans remember him for his hard-hitting performances on Sundays, his family now believes the very nature of the game may have contributed to his death. According to relatives, they suspect Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) — the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma — played a role in his passing.
CTE has become one of football’s most troubling long-term health concerns, impacting numerous former players and continuing to spark conversations about player safety at every level of the sport.
Scroggins’ death serves as another sobering reminder of the physical and mental toll football can leave behind long after a player’s career comes to an end.
Fans across the league are mourning the loss of a player remembered for his grit, toughness, and commitment to the game.
Rest in peace, Tracy Scroggins.
