Tracy Scroggins, who spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions, died Monday. He was 56.
The Lions announced the passing of the former defensive end but did not provide a cause of death.
His family issued a statement to TMZ, however, that blamed football, saying they believed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. That can be diagnosed only after death.
Scroggins was among the thousands of former players to sue the NFL over concussion-related symptoms. The case was settled in 2015.
“Playing in the NFL gave Tracy the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty,” the family statement read. “However, unfortunately, the NFL was also ultimately the cause of his untimely demise. Tracy spent every moment of retirement courageously battling the devastating effects of CTE. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.”
Scroggins appeared in 142 games (89 starts) with the Lions from 1992-2001. The team selected the Oklahoman in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft out of Tulsa.
He retired with 60.5 sacks, 321 tackles (23 for loss), eight forced fumbles and seven recoveries, and an interception.
