GRIFFEN SUFFERS MENTAL EPISODE
The Minnesota Vikings have made mental health support an organizational priority, an investment that only became more important with Everson Griffen’s frightening experience three years ago.
The condition of mental illness never truly goes away, as the Vikings were reminded Wednesday. The team was relieved when Griffen emerged from his home without incident hours after he called 911 in a frenzy believing people were trying to kill him.
“We feel with the situation that we got him the necessary help he needs,” General Manager Rick Spielman said. “He’s in the care of medical professionals.”
Griffen posted screenshots of urgent text messages to his agent, Brian Murphy, that were pleas for help because he said people were trying to kill him. He also posted a video depicting him with a gun — he said it was purchased legally — as he moved around his house in Minnetrista, a lakeside suburb west of Minneapolis. Those posts were deleted.
Griffen was taken away by ambulance to a health care facility for treatment.
Minnetrista police, in a news release, said officers responded to a 911 call at 3 a.m. from Griffen at his residence. Griffen said on the 911 call that there were intruders in the home and that he fired a shot but no one was hurt. When police arrived, no intruder was located. Responding officers determined Griffen was alone in the house.
College football
Michigan State is giving
Mel Tucker a $95 million, 10year contract, making an aggressive move to keep a football coach who potentially could have left for LSU or the NFL.
Tucker’s contract establishes him one of the richest coaches in college football. Only Alabama’s Nick Saban, one of his mentors, who makes $9,753,221 a year, is paid more on an annual basis, according to the USA Today coaches’ salaries database.
Tucker’s deal that expires Jan. 15, 2032, will have a $5.9 million base salary, $3.2 million in supplemental compensation for media and personal appearances along with a $400,000 contingent annual bonus.
Liberty and football coach Hugh Freeze have agreed to a contract extension that will keep him with the Flames through 2028.
A person familiar with the deal says Freeze will be paid an average of more than $4 million a year over the life of the contract, making him one of the highest paid coaches at the Group of Five level. The Flames (7-4) have compiled a 25-10 record since Freeze took over three years ago.
Sonny Cumbie will remain on Texas Tech’s staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after finishing this season as interim head coach for the bowlbound Red Raiders. New coach Joey McGuire said Wednesday that Cumbie will be part of his staff.
Women’s soccer
San Diego Wave Fútbol Club announced the addition of Rich Gunney to the club’s coaching staff. Gunney becomes the first assistant coach announced under head coach Casey Stoney. Gunney joins Wave FC following five seasons with the Portland Thorns.