Vikes lineman out with mental-health trouble
EAGAN, Minn. — Last week, the Minnesota Vikings were concerned enough about Everson Griffen’s state of mind that they barred the three-time
Pro Bowl defensive end from practice until he had a mental health evaluation.
After a scary series of incidents on Saturday, Griffen remained away from the team on Tuesday and out of action indefinitely. Coach Mike Zimmer said Griffen would not travel with the team to play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.
“The only thing we really are concerned about for Everson isn’t anything to do with football. It’s about him getting better,” Zimmer said. “He’s always been a really, really good model for us, and obviously he’s going through some tough times now.”
Griffen was already going to miss the game last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills because of a nagging issue with his knee, but even without the injury he was in no condition to play.
According to police in Minnetrista, the Minneapolis suburb where he lives, Griffen was making comments about people trying to kill him. He was eventually transported by ambulance to an area hospital for his well-being, despite jumping out of the vehicle at one point during a brief stop for crossing deer. He was never arrested or suspected of committing any crimes.
According to the report, the lineman’s wife said Griffen got up in the middle of the night on Sept. 16 and left the house, which he has done before in attempt to deal with “demons in his head.”
Griffen was gone for several days during the week, at one point sending his wife a text message that referenced suicide. He’s not on medication, she said, but should be.
Griffen showed up shirtless outside the house of teammate Trae Waynes, who lives on the same street. A little later, Griffen left his vehicle at a gas station and rode home with a man who said he didn’t know him.
He was also found him walking on the side of a county road. Griffen told them he was afraid “someone was going to shoot him.”