Scott Ross, former USC All-American and plaintiff in NFL head-trauma suit, dies at 45

Former USC All-American linebacker Scott Ross, a member of the class-action lawsuit against the NFL concerning head trauma, died Sunday in Lafayette, La., at the age of 45. The cause of death is unknown.  

Ross earned three first-team All-Pac 10 honors, won All-American as a senior in 1990, and played in 3 Rose Bowls, according to USC's website. 

Ross was a late draft pick by the Saints in 1991, only playing four games in the NFL. He sued the league in 2012, when it was alleged he "suffers from severe memory loss, cognitive dementia, and, on information and belief, chronic trauma encephalopathy (CTE), a condition caused by repetitive sub-concussive and/or concussive blows to the head."  

USC is planning a memorial service for Oct. 25.