Vikings’ Griffen getting help
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 defuse 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-of-the-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 himself with a gun that he said was purchased legally. Those posts have 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.
St. Louis to get $790 million:
The NFL and Rams owner Stan Kroenke will pay $790 million to settle a lawsuit filed by St. Louis interests over the team’s 2016 relocation to Los Angeles, a joint statement from St. Louis city and county said.
No details were released, and it wasn’t immediately clear how much would be paid by Kroenke and how much would be covered by owners of the league’s 31 other teams.
Hall of Fame: Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and former 49er Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022.
Also eligible for the first time are kick returner Devin Hester; pass rushers Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season.
Other semifinalists include former 49ers defensive tackle Bryant Young, who retired after the 2007 season; former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (2014), former 49ers running back Ricky Watters (2001), former Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour (2012) and former Raiders cornerback Eric Allen (2001).
Briefly: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says his toe injury is a fracture and he doesn’t expect to miss any games . ... Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed last Sunday’s win at Chicago with an illness, said he expects to play Sunday night against the Browns . ... The Titans placed backup quarterback Logan Woodside on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Starter Ryan Tannehill is the only healthy quarterback on the roster as the Titans (8-3) prepare to visit New England (7-4) on Sunday. Former Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan is on Tennessee’s practice squad.