Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen jumped out of an ambulance while on the way to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to newly released police reports.
The reports, obtained by the Star Tribune, detail a bizarre and troubling series of events that began Saturday afternoon at the Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis, where Griffen, 30, threatened to “shoot someone” if he wasn’t allowed in his room.
An officer with the Minnetrista Police Department later met with Griffen’s wife at a park in Mound – a city in Hennepin County – where she revealed that the three-time Pro Bowler awoke in the middle of the night on Sept. 16 and left their suburban Minneapolis home, which he had previously done to fight the “demons in his head.”
Griffen returned three days later, but stayed only for an hour before leaving again until early Saturday, his wife told police, adding that he had been combative and told her to leave the residence. She said Griffen then went to the luxury Minneapolis hotel, where he was spotted lying on the floor.
Griffen’s wife said the nine-year NFL vet had gone without sleep for days and needed medication for his mental health issues. An officer then reached Griffen directly on his cellphone, with the NFL standout assuring the investigator that he had no intention of harming himself or others.
Les Pico, the team’s player development director, then told police that Griffen “has really been struggling” throughout the past few weeks, including explosive outbursts during practice. Griffen also seemed paranoid and frequently repeated himself, Pico told police.
Griffen’s wife then contacted the officer to tell him that Griffen was at a teammate’s house nearby. The fiancé of the teammate, cornerback Trae Waynes, reported that a shirtless Griffen had been trying to break into their home and had been jumping through bushes.
Minutes later, Griffen’s wife called back the responding officer to inform him that Griffen was now in a stranger’s pickup truck. The troubled NFL star had met the man at a gas station and returned him to his home.
The man – who was still shaking upon arrival at Griffen’s home – told police “he didn’t feel safe at all” and requested to leave the premises. Griffen then told officers that he went to Waynes’ home because “God made him do it” and also referenced the number “777,” which is frequently associated with angels.
After agreeing to be taken to a mental health facility via ambulance, Griffen jumped out of the vehicle during a brief stop for deer crossing in the road and was later found by responding officers standing on the side of the road with his hands in the air. Griffen said he was afraid “someone was going to shoot him” before ultimately returning to the ambulance to complete the trip with a police escort.
Griffen – who has two prior arrests in 2011 for public intoxication and driving with an invalid license – was never arrested or accused of committing any crimes. He will not travel with the Vikings to meet the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.
“The only thing we really are concerned about for Everson isn’t anything to do with football,” Coach Mike Zimmer told reporters. “It’s about him getting better.”
Griffen remained at a mental health facility as of early Wednesday, NFL sources told the Star Tribune.
With Post wires
