Ex-Redskins star Rypien says he tried to kill himself
Former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien said he has attempted suicide, hired prostitutes and suffers from persistent depression. Now, he’s wondering if he sustained brain injuries while playing football.
The 55-year-old former quarterback is worried about his future even as he revealed some lurid elements of his past.
“There were behaviors that were just bizarre,” Rypien said in an article published Friday in The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash.
A decade ago, his impulsive behaviors began to escalate; aggressiveness and verbal outbursts increased.
One day, Rypien left a 20-minute audio suicide message at home for his wife, Danielle, to find. But he took no action.
Sometime later, it went beyond a message. Rypien swallowed 150 Advils and washed them down with a bottle of wine.
“It was the thought that people aren’t going to miss me,” Rypien said. “I didn’t want to be around anymore.”
Danielle found him and poured hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal down his throat to get him to vomit up the pills.
The Rypiens believe now they know what caused Mark’s uncontrolled behavior and have found tools, if not solutions. They weathered the kind of storm that often tears families apart.
“I might get worse,” Rypien said. “I’ve got strategies to get me through the next day, the next year, 10 years. But I don’t know.”
Vikings sign Wright: The Minnesota Vikings signed wide receiver Kendall Wright, who led the Chicago Bears in receptions and yards last season.
The Vikings announced the addition, putting Wright in the mix behind standouts Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Wright, 28, was a first-round draft pick by Tennessee in 2012 and produced a career-best 94 catches for 1,079 yards in 2013. He spent five years with the Titans. In his lone season with the Bears, he had 59 receptions for 614 yards.
Bears bring Cooper back: The Chicago Bears re-signed cornerback Marcus Cooper to a one-year contract after releasing him this month.
Cooper made four starts and broke up three passes last season, his first with the Bears. He has 145 tackles, seven interceptions and 35 pass breakups in five seasons with Kansas City (2013’15), Arizona (2016) and Chicago.
Rawls joins Jets: The New York Jets have signed running back Thomas Rawls.
In need of help at running back after starter Matt Forte retired, New York turned to Rawls, who spent three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, starting 17 games. He gained 1,336 yards and scored seven touchdowns on 314 carries for a 4.3-yard average. The 24-year-old Rawls also had 31 receptions for 266 yards and one TD.
Rawls, who went undrafted out of Central Michigan, has been plagued by injuries, including a broken leg in 2016.
Chargers sign safety: Defensive back Jaylen Watkins has left the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles for a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.