Vikings’ Griffen getting care for mental health
The Minnesota Vikings said defensive end Everson Griffen emerged from his home without incident and was receiving care for his mental health after he called 911 fearing an intruder and spent most of Wednesday refusing to leave while law enforcement and team representatives tried to diffuse the situation.
The Vikings sent psychologists to Griffen’s house to work with police on guiding him through another alarming mental health situation. The team released a statement in the afternoon, about 12 hours after Griffen’s initial 911 call, confirming they’d been notified by authorities that the situation “ended peacefully” with Griffen coming out.
The Vikings cited the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnetrista Police Department and the Orono Police Department for their “quick response and dedication” to ensuring Griffen stayed safe.
“Our focus remains on Everson’s health and safety and providing the proper resources for him and his family,” the Vikings said.
Griffen, who took a leave from the team in 2018 for mental health treatment, had posted on Instagram screenshots of middle-ofthe-night text messages to his agent, Brian Murphy, that were pleas for help because he said people were trying to kill him. Griffen also posted a video depicting him with a gun that he said was purchased legally.
Those posts have since been deleted.
The Vikings said they sent representatives to Griffen’s home along with the team’s mental health professionals, who were coordinating with law enforcement in Minnetrista, the Minneapolis suburb where Griffen and his family live.
The 12th-year player initially refused to come out of his house because he feared intruders. Police said they were confident Griffen was alone in the home as they worked to resolve the situation. TITANS PLACE BACKUP QB ON COVID-19 LIST >> The Tennessee Titans have placed backup quarterback Logan Woodside on the reserve/COVID-19 list, their second player put on that list in three days.
The Titans also put linebacker Joe Jones on the COVID-19 reserve list Monday.
This leaves starter Ryan Tannehill as the only quarterback on the roster as the Titans (8-3) prepare to visit New England (7-4) on Sunday. Woodside, who has not been seen wearing a mask, could test negative twice over 48 hours to be cleared before kickoff if vaccinated.