Everson Griffen is telling everyone he’s been sober for a year, but recent news out of Minnesota just dropped a serious curveball. Last week, he was stopped for speeding and then charged with driving *without* an ignition interlock device. That device was required because of his previous legal issues. Talk about a tough look when you’re trying to make a comeback, right?
Vowing a Return After Years Away
It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? Griffen hasn’t stepped onto an NFL field since the 2021 season. We all remember his second run with the Vikings, which sadly ended with him on the non-football illness list as he dealt with mental health issues. It wasn’t the first time either; similar reasons kept him off the field back in 2018. Now, he’s opened up to Josina Anderson on The Exhibit Show, making a powerful statement: “My desire is to play again.” He sounds serious, saying he knows he’s “burnt bridges” but believes they’re “reparable” and he’s “willing to do anything to mend them.” He even went so far as to claim, “you don’t have to worry about me going back to using again.” That’s a bold promise for anyone, especially with his history of multiple arrests for driving under the influence since he last played in the league.
The Uphill Battle and Unignorable Baggage
Look, the guy was a force, no doubt. Everson Griffen racked up 85.5 sacks during his career; that’s not chump change. But we’re talking about a player who’s now 38 years old. That alone is a massive hurdle in the NFL. Add to that the significant “baggage” from his time away from the game, and suddenly his path back looks incredibly steep. Despite his declaration of a year of sobriety, that recent charge for driving without his required interlock device just makes everything harder. It directly contradicts the image he’s trying to build. When you’re trying to convince teams you’re a changed man, an incident like that pops up, and it really makes you wonder. Can he truly mend those burnt bridges when new ones are being scorched? The league is always looking for talent, but they’re also looking for reliability.
So what’s next for Griffen? He clearly wants to play, he’s got the stats from his past career, but that recent legal problem casts a serious shadow. Can he find a team willing to take a chance on a 38-year-old with ongoing legal issues, no matter how much desire he has? It’s going to take more than just words to prove he’s truly turned things around. The road ahead for Everson Griffen looks tougher than any defensive line he ever faced.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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