NFL Defensive End Announces He’s Bipolar

The all-pro NFL defensive end, Everson Griffen, announced that he has bipolar disorder, a mental illness categorized by extreme, emotional highs and lows. In addition to and because of this, he stated “[he] will be an advocate for mental health.”

Griffen was taken and transported to a mental health facility last week after warning signs pointing to the dark headspace that Griffen was falling into. He called the police saying someone was in his home and posted an alarming photo of himself holding a gun on social media.

On November 24th, two days before the thanksgiving holiday, the Minnesota Vikings released a statement saying that Griffen was not harmed in the incident and that he is now getting the help he needs.

Griffen addressed the issue through an Instagram post:

“It’s true I am bipolar. 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 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.”

Many athletes, more specifically NFL players, are in support of mental health. Joey Bosa, Solomon Thomas, D.J. Chark Jr., and others all were a part of the ‘It takes us’ video the NFL did to show the mental health is important. I’m sure we’ll see Everson Griffen a part of this NFL team of society advancers.