NFL
Vikings' Everson Griffen announces that he is bipolar
Following an incident involving law enforcement, the defensive end has now spoken out on his mental health.
After a dramatic standoff with police, The Vikings player seems to be in a better place.
Everson Griffen says he's bipolar
In an Instagram post made on Friday night, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen announced that he is bipolar. Griffen also said he intened to become an advocate for mental health after an incident last week in which he called police to his home and then refused to leave. "It's true I am bipolar. I will embrace it and I will be an advocate for mental health," Everson's said. "I been running from it a long time. I'm not ashamed of it anymore. It all started when mother passed away. Went into a dark place, thought I was great for many years. I promise this time I will do everything the experts say and my wife. I love my family and I miss my friends. Thank you for all the love and support, but most of all thank you for all the prayers."
What happened with Everson Griffen?
Last Wednesday Griffen was transported to a mental health facility after he refused to come out of his home. Prior to that Griffen had made a series of disturbing posts on Instagram, including one in which he could be seen with a gun as he declared that people were trying to kill him. Griffen called 911 just 3 a.m. local time Wednesday morning and said someone was inside his home and that he needed help from the police. He proceeded to tell the 911 dispatcher that he had fired his weapon but nobody was injured.
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The situation escalated into a stand off with local law enforcement as Vikings team psychologists arrived on site and began to communicate with Griffen at approximately 7 a.m. Eventually Griffen exited his home around 1:30 p.m. without incident.
"We got him the necessary help that he needs and [he's] in the care of medical professionals," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said at the time.