Former Detroit Lions Star Dead At 56

DETROIT — Former Detroit Lions star linebacker Tracy Scroggins died Monday, the team announced.

Team officials did not reveal his cause of death. He was 56.

"Tracy was a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend whose life was marked by remarkable strength and perseverance," the Scroggins family said in a statement to TMZ. "While many knew him for his career as a professional football player in the NFL, those closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted and generous man who cared deeply for his family and friends."

The Lions selected Scroggins in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He went on to spend his entire 10-year NFL career in Detroit.

During his time, he recorded 321 tackles and 60.5 sacks in 142 games before retiring in 2001.

He then became a big voice in sounding his concerns about the NFL and player health.

In 2016, he filed a lawsuit against the NFL after he was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy—more commonly known as CTE. His family said he struggled with CTE for years after playing in the league.

"Playing in the NFL gave Tracy the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty. However, unfortunately, the NFL was also ultimately the cause of his untimely demise," the family statement said. "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."