Vikings DE Everson Griffen reveals bipolar disorder: 'I'm not ashamed of it anymore'
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen said on Friday night that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, marking his first comments since a scary incident at his home late last month.
Griffen made the announcement on Instagram, and said he had “been running from it a long time.”
"It’s true I am bipolar," Griffen said. "I will embrace it and I will be an advocate for mental health. I been running from it a long time. I’m not ashamed of it anymore. It all started when my 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.
“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.”
Griffen placed on NFI list after incident
The Vikings placed Griffen on the reserve/non-football illness list late last month, just days after he called 911 about an intruder at his home.
Griffen, 33, reportedly told police that somebody was inside his home and that he had fired a weapon, but nobody was injured. Police were then unable to find an intruder, and Griffen refused to come out of his home. He also posted disturbing videos to Instagram, including one in which he reportedly said someone was trying to kill him while he was seen holding a gun.
Griffin finally left his home more than 10 hours later, and was taken to a healthcare facility.
The situation was the latest public one for Griffin, who missed about a month during the 2018 season after multiple similar incidents. It’s unclear when, or if, he will return this season.
Griffen was selected by the Vikings in 2010, and recorded 79.5 sacks during his first 10 years with the team. He spent last year with both the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions before returning to the Vikings this season.
