Update:
Vikings CB Trae Waynes released the following statement about DE Everson Griffen allegedly attempting to enter or break into his house:
“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.”
Vikings player development director Les Pico told Minnetrista Police that Everson Griffen had not been himself for a few weeks and team sent him and his agent a letter last Thursday saying he wasn’t allowed back until he had a mental health evaluation, per Tom Pelissero.
According to police, Griffen hadn’t threatened to harm himself or anyone, so he couldn’t be placed on a health and welfare hold. Griffen ultimately agreed to voluntarily go to the hospital.
According to the Star-Tribune, Everson Griffen’s wife contacted police from their home Saturday afternoon following the incident that took place at a hotel and told authorities he sped off in a vehicle with another person and was not wearing a shirt.
Griffen’s wife later told authorities that he had returned and police were then to speak with a woman at the home of Vikings CB Trae Waynes regarding a report that Griffen was either breaking into the Waynes’ home or trying to get in. A woman said she had seen a shirtless Griffen at one point in the bushes of the home.
Police eventually caught up with Griffen and he was taken to a hospital in an ambulance. Emergency medical personnel told dispatch that they were having trouble with Griffen and police later arrived and restrained him.
Minnetrista police are expected to address the incidents on Tuesday.
Tom Pelissero confirms that Everson Griffen is being evaluated at a local hospital, but two team sources have denied that he was arrested.
According to Pelissero, concerns about Griffen’s mental health predate last weekend.
According to KSTP 5, Vikings DE Everson Griffen was involved in an incident at a hotel on Saturday.
Police records show that a person at the hotel was verbally threatening to shoot someone in the middle of the day on Saturday and sources have confirmed to KSTP that this person was Griffen.
Police dispatch audio includes a dispatcher saying that the suspect told the hotel staff that if someone wouldn’t let him in his room, he was going to shoot someone. The caller said that Griffen threatened to assault staff members and was laying on the lobby floor.
However, Police said no gun was ever seen and Griffen wasn’t arrested.
Minneapolis Police Department spokesman John Elder said that Griffen left on his own accord and the caller was no longer cooperative. Beyond that, Elder says that the situation did not warrant any further investigation, as officers called to the scene said they never saw a gun.
Vikings GM Rick Spielman issued the following statement regarding the incident:
“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.”
Griffen did not play in Week 3’s loss to the Bills and Vikings HC Mike Zimmer told reporters on Monday that he was dealing with a personal matter.
Griffen, 30, is a former fourth-round pick of the Vikings back in 2010. Griffen is in the second year of his six-year, $75 million contract that includes $34 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salray of $3.9 million for the 2018 season.
In 2018, Griffen has appeared in two games for the Vikings and recorded six tackles, one sack and a pass defense.
We’ll have more regarding Griffen as the news is available.
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