Tracy Scroggins, a longtime Detroit Lions defensive end/linebacker who played from 1992 to 2001, has died at age 56 after a battle with CTE, according to his family and TMZ Sports.

During his NFL career, Scroggins appeared in 142 games and started 89 of them in the regular season.

His family described him as a devoted father and a generous, resilient man whose character extended beyond his football career.

This is a developing story, with updates expected on tributes, memorial details, or responses from the family or NFL.

TMZ cites the family's statement on CTE, with People as the original source for the information.

CTE is a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries and can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously, with symptoms including memory loss, aggression, impulsivity, and motor issues.

Current research notes that living individuals cannot be diagnosed with CTE, though brain banks and ongoing studies seek markers, including references to Unite Brain Bank at Boston University.

This obituary was published by the Associated Press in 2025 and is reproduced with standard copyright language.

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Limited details are available about Scroggins’ personal life; reports in 2016 mentioned a fiancée, Michelle Burke, with no clear information on marriage.

Funeral services are planned for February 27, 2026, in Checotah, Oklahoma, with additional details to follow.

Scroggins’ legacy emphasizes off-field relationships and character, alongside his football career, with memorial plans not yet announced.