He was already recognized as having depression and substance abuse issues. He was treated at the Betty Ford Center for alcohol abuse. A world class center that millionaires go to for the best and most expensive treatment that money can buy. He went to Baylor's Menninger clinic for depression. The Menninger clinic is a world class institution that was founded in 1925. It was the first group psychiatric practice. He was also receiving substance abuse counseling from Rockets legend John Lucas II. A player who underwent successful drug rehabilitation for cocaine and alcohol. He created his own rehabilitation programs for NBA players and other athletes. Just because a guy gets world class treatment and money is thrown at the problem. It doesn't always cure the issue. There are several celebrities that have known substance abuse and depression issues that have died early deaths.
damn, i just remember in nba live he could block/shoot the trey/and do monster dunks. he had all the potential in the world, sad that he didn't use it, but even more sad that his life turned out like this
a tribute... to one who feels the pain.. when in sun, he feels it's rain, don't ever realize, 'til it's down the drain, may life bring you everlasting game in the world where what it was came shame you tried, but never it lasted or came and went.. your life in peace and fame.
This is so sad, RIP Eddie. Has there ever been a truely turn-around story in NBA? I wonder what K.G have to say about this.
I always rooted for Eddie, even much after we waived him. Poor guy, hopefully he can rest in peace now.
It'd be great if Clutch could compile all the condolences in this thread and find some way to get it to his family. That said, the guy had a lot of wasted opportunities, but he truly had his own inner demons that no amount of help could get him over. This is one instance where death might be the best salvation for a troubled soul...regardless, crashing your vehicle into a train and then burning to death is no way to go peacefully. RIP Eddie, here's to you finding peace in the afterlife.
He was a really troubled person... and it looks like he was even worse off than we all thought. I had really really high hopes for him when drafted him. He was a super athletic PF with defensive ability and shooting range. He just couldn't put it all together, but he could have been a really special player. This is all surreal. R.I.P. Eddie Griffin
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5073074.html Aug. 22, 2007, 3:42AM Ex-Rocket's troubled life ends in tragedy Eddie Griffin, remembered for his star potential, dies in crash with an oncoming train Former Houston Rockets forward Eddie Griffin, whose athletic gifts and potential seemed limited only by their inability to carry him past his troubles, died last week in a crash with an oncoming train. The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday identified Griffin as the man who died on Friday when the sport utility vehicle he was driving plowed into a moving train in southeast Houston. Officials said Griffin, 25, drove his 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. Griffin's vehicle burst into flames on impact, burning his body so badly that investigators were unable to identify him until Tuesday, when they used dental records to confirm his identity. The medical examiner's office said a toxicology report will determine if Griffin was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fatal crash. "Eddie is free now," said former Rockets guard and NBA coach John Lucas, who worked with Griffin in Lucas' Houston-based rehabilitation program. "Eddie was just a special basketball talent. He was doing well for periods. He would go up and down mentally and spiritually. But Eddie was a good person. "I'm just sad, just so sad." Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who had believed Griffin would become one of the cornerstones of the franchise, described Griffin as particularly kind, though unable to overcome his problems. "I found him to be a very quiet, sweet, charming, nice person," Alexander said. "It's a shame somebody this young has to die this way. The whole Rockets organization is devastated. Our wishes and thoughts go out to his family and friends. He must have been a very troubled young man and probably that trouble caused his death. It's just a very, very sad situation." So great was Griffin's potential as a 6-foot-10 power forward, the Rockets sent three first-round picks to the New Jersey Nets for the draft rights to Griffin, selected seventh in the 2001 NBA Draft that night. By his second season, however, his legal and substance abuse problems grew increasingly serious. He was suspended during the 2003 preseason after a series of unexcused absences from practices. While suspended, Griffin was accused of beating a woman and shooting at her in his home. The Rockets released him two months later. "All the potential, all the dreams his family had for him for what his career would and could be, to see it end like this is just tragic," Rockets director of media relations Nelson Luis said. "He was a very quiet, introverted kid. But you could tell there was a current of trouble underneath the surface with him. It's a shame. He was trying. After he left us, he was trying to get his life together. It's a tragedy." Griffin sought treatment for alcoholism during his suspension and several times thereafter. "Eddie was like a man-child," said Rusty Hardin, Griffin's attorney. "He was a wonderful, gentle soul, but he was an alcoholic. Alcohol always got in the way. The one thing the Rockets didn't know and none of us knew was the extent of the problem. It's really tragic. "What people don't know is Eddie didn't go out partying, he didn't go wild or was a jerk. He was secretly drinking. He would have been the savior power forward the Rockets needed if not for (alcohol). When alcohol wasn't involved, he was one wonderful, gentle giant." Griffin signed with the New Jersey Nets in January 2004 but was released the following month. He signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves the next season and showed enough potential for the Timberwolves to sign him to a contract extension. Griffin played in just 12 games last season and — after a traffic incident and a suspension for violating the NBA/NBPA anti-substance abuse policy — was released in March. "He was undecided the last I talked to him whether he wanted to play basketball anymore or what he wanted to do," Lucas said. "This is just really sad from a talent standpoint, it's sad from a personal standpoint, and devastating from a recovery standpoint. From a recovery standpoint — but for the grace of God goes I." In 303 games from the 2001-02 season through the 2005-06 season, Griffin averaged 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.71 blocked shots. One of the nation's top freshmen at Seton Hall in 2000-2001 and an NBA All-Rookie second team selection in 2002, his playing career will be remembered for what it could have been. "That's a true tragedy right there," Rockets vice president/trainer Keith Jones said. "He had all the ability in the world and was young enough to get his life turned around and affect people in a positive way, but couldn't get it turned around. You hate to say youth was wasted, but in this case, it really was."
Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Eddie Griffin died last week when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train in a fiery crash, the Harris County medical examiner's office said Tuesday. Investigators used dental records to identify Griffin, 25, who began his tumultuous pro career with the Houston Rockets in 2001. He was waived by the Timberwolves in March. The five-year veteran, who was the No. 7 pick in the 2001 NBA draft, had battled alcohol problems since coming out of Seton Hall. Griffin was suspended by the league for five games in January for violating its anti-drug program. Houston police said in a report that the driver of the SUV ignored a railroad warning and went through a barrier before striking the moving train about 1:30 a.m. Friday. The driver's body was badly burned and there was no identification. "I was able this afternoon to get some dental records from the one dentist he had gone to see in Houston, and they were able to use that apparently to positively identify him,'' said Derek S. Hollingsworth, an attorney who has represented Griffin in criminal cases. Hollingsworth said he spoke with Griffin's mother, who was devastated by the news. Griffin had a series of suspensions, court dates and missed practices during his first two years in the NBA with Houston and New Jersey. He spent time in the Betty Ford Center for alcohol treatment in 2003-04. Hollingsworth said he found Griffin to be kind and gentle - behavior inconsistent with how the player was described in police reports. "He had a problem with alcohol, and I think that was a medication for him, and I think that led to a lot of issues,'' Hollingsworth said. Griffin, who played forward and center, signed with the Timberwolves as a free agent before the 2004 season. He showed enough promise as a shot-blocker and rebounder to be signed to an extension, but was waived in March after playing in just 13 games last season with the Wolves. The Wolves put his locker right next to star Kevin Garnett, hoping the former MVP could help straighten Griffin out. Griffin put up some big numbers on occasion with the Wolves, but continued to get into trouble off the court. He pleaded guilty last season to inattentive driving after he hit a parked car while out late one night in Minneapolis.
