NBA Player Eddie Griffin Dead at 25

[crewcrazy]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5073074.html

 

Officials said Griffin, 25, drove his Nissan SUV through a railroad crossing barrier, past flashing warning lights and into a moving train in the 5300 block of Lawndale about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 17.

The accident remains under investigation by Houston police.

Griffin's vehicle burst into flames on impact with the Union Pacific train that was hauling plastic, burning his body so badly that investigators had to use dental records from a Houston dentist whom Griffin had visited to confirm his identity Tuesday.

It sounds like Griffin had a problem with alcoholism, but they won't know for sure if he was drunk until they get the tests back. While he was a troubled guy, it's sad to see anyone die that young.

[Katuluu]

It's a shame. The kid oozed talent yet had demons following him since High School. It is too bad he was never able to overcome them.

[brewdude15]

it's not only a shame someone dies that young, but that way...RIP

[JoeHova]

That's really terrible. I always liked Griffin, but he was never able to overcome his personal problems. He did end up with a relatively lucrative deal in Minnesota after his breakdown in Houston, iirc, but a lot of people thought he had by far the most talent of anyone in the 2001 draft. He was kind of a poor man's Antoine Walker (but with shotblocking ability) in the NBA.

 

Anyway, I don't know why, but the circumstances make me wonder if this was an accident or not. I don't mean to cast aspersions, but Eddie had some well-known problems and they said the gates were down. I don't know what would be better though, an accident or otherwise. Either way, a sad end for Eddie.

[Katuluu]

Eddie had several traffic related incidents during his tenure with the Timberwolves. The most well known was when he hit another car while drunk driving while also masturbating to pornography that was playing in his SUV. To me that seems like enough reason to think he's capable of making some horrendous decisions while intoxicated.

[Comet in exile]

RIP. I thought he still had talent. Poor guy.

[JoeHova]

Eddie had several traffic related incidents during his tenure with the Timberwolves. The most well known was when he hit another car while drunk driving while also masturbating to pornography that was playing in his SUV. To me that seems like enough reason to think he's capable of making some horrendous decisions while intoxicated.

 

Yes, I'm well aware of Eddie's famous car accident and I'm not saying he did this on purpose. However, things like this- However, when Griffin drove around barriers and slammed into a moving train on Houston's east side... from this article make me wonder a little bit. Not that it matters...

[Mr QL]

This is really sad. The guy had so much talent and potential. I always wanted the Bucks to give him shot since he would of fit very nicely on our teams. He could rebound, block shots, shoot 3s. He should of been of something in this league just never got his life together. The way it looks to me is that he committed suicide. He went through the gate and had no identification on him. He had alot troubles in his life including alcoholism. His older brother died 3 months before he entered the NBA. He was a father figure in his life and his career adviser. No way he was ready for the NBA life all by himself so young, he still was a kid. He suffered from depression but was untreated until 2004 where he got 6 weeks of treatment which obviously won't "cure" it. It's sad that despite all the troubles he clearly had that he was never able to get help he needed and stopped a very preventable death. You'd think somebody would have knew he was gone for a week and would of reported him missing or something which I don't believe happened. Says alot about where he was in his life I guess. Hopefully he's found peace.

[Katuluu]

Yes, I'm well aware of Eddie's famous car accident and I'm not saying he did this on purpose. However, things like this- However, when Griffin drove around barriers and slammed into a moving train on Houston's east side... from this article make me wonder a little bit. Not that it matters...

No, you are right. It certainly well within the realm of possibility that this was more then a simple traffic accident.