NFL Vikings’ Everson Griffen Benched for Mental Issues

Everson Griffen of the Minnesota Vikings has been sidelined for at least two games because of erratic and aggressive behavior.

The team has insisted that the Pro-Bowl defensive end get a mental health evaluation before returning to the roster.

According to police reports, Les Pico, the Vikings’ executive director of player development, said that Griffen had been “explosive, screaming and yelling” at the team facility and problems had been growing for several weeks.

Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings shouts from the sidelines to fire up his teammates during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sept. 16, 2018. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Vikings director of security Kim Klawiter told police that Griffen had been instructed to skip the team’s Sept. 23 game against the Buffalo Bills and to “go get his head straight.” When Griffen showed up to practice Sept. 22, he was sent home.

According to ESPN, Griffen has not been banned from the team’s training facilities, but Griffen and the team agreed that the player would stay away until his condition had improved.

Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman released a statement on Sept. 24 which said, “We are aware of the situation involving Everson Griffen and certainly concerned by what we have heard. We are currently focused on Everson’s well-being and providing the appropriate support for him and his family.”

‘I want help’

The situation came to a head on Saturday, Sept. 22, when Vikings Security Director Kim Klawiter asked the Minnetrista, Minnesota police department to do a welfare check on Griffen and his family. KARE reports that Klawiter told police the Griffen was causing a disturbance at a Minneapolis hotel, and that Griffen’s mental state had been a growing concern for the team for several weeks.

Officer Michael Kokesh met with Griffen’s wife, Tiffany, who told him Everson has not been acting normal lately, had disappeared for several days, and had told her, “I want help.”

Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on in the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, on Aug. 27, 2017. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

While details have not been released, it seems, according to ESPN, that Griffen threatened to shoot someone at the Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis on Sept. 22, and later tried to break into the home of teammate Trae Waynes.

Waynes released a statement on Sept. 25 denying that that incident had happened, ESPN reported.

“To clarify, there was no attempted break-in at our home and at no point did my family or I feel unsafe. We are friends with the Griffen family and we are here to support them in any way possible during these trying times,” the statement read, in part.

Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates during a game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sept. 9, 2018. Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

After leaving the Waynes residence, Griffen commandeered the truck of a total stranger, who agreed to drive Griffen home.

Once home, Griffen began shouting about people trying to kill him, God, and “777,” KARE reported. Police arrived and helped Everson into an ambulance. During the ride, Everson jumped out of the ambulance and began walking.

Officers found him and convinced him to get back in the ambulance and go for treatment.

‘Improved player and person’

On Sept. 27, Everson Griffen made his first public comments about his actions and mental situation.

Griffen posted on Instagram, “This past week’s events have raised many questions and I want to apologize to everyone who was impacted.”

“I am currently focused on resolving personal issues with which I have been dealing for a long time. Once I have had time to address those issues, I hope to share my story with everyone.”

“I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from my family, the Vikings organization, my teammates and our tremendous fan base. I apologize for not being able to take the field with my teammates and do not have an exact timeline for my return. I promise, however, I will return as a much-improved person and player.”

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