<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">HOUSTON -- Former Minnesota Timberwolves Eddie Griffin died last week when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train in a fiery crash in Houston, the Harris County medical examiner's office said Tuesday. Investigators used dental records to identify Griffin, 25, who began his tumultous pro career with the Houston Rockets in 2001. He was waived by the Timberwolves in March. The five-year veteran and former seventh overall draft pick had battled alcohol problems since coming out of Seton Hall. He was suspended by the NBA for five games in January for violating the anti-drug program. Houston police said in a report that 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. 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. Griffin signed with the Wolves as a free agent before the 2004 season, and showed enough promise as a shot-blocker and rebounder to be signed to an extension. But he was waived in March after appearing in just 13 games for the Wolves this season. </div>Source Man this is so sad. Anytime someone dies its a sad thing, and just the fact that he died at such a young age after being a once talented colelge player with troubled alcohol problems and all.
I can't resist. Did he have the porn on when he stopped on the tracks [/bad joke] For real though, it's a terrible thing to read. I vaguely remember his college game, but from what I do, he was pretty good. It's a shame his game didn't transfer over and he suffered from alcoholism.
Ohh dang. He was like my favorite Rocket back in the days then the dude went through some trouble in the next few years and now dead. I am totally shocked, he was only like 25?
Not a surprising ending for Griffin. Sad to hear he dies this young and wasted several opportunities. I wouldn't rule out suicide or possibly driving under the influence. RIP. This is the second teammate KG has played with who died in a car accident. The first was Malik Sealy.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">R.I.P Eddie Griffin. Must've been pretty bad if we're hearing about this a week later.</div> The driver's body was badly burned and there was no identification. They discovered his identity by matching his teeth with dental records.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The driver's body was badly burned and there was no identification. They discovered his identity by matching his teeth with dental records.</div> Yeah, the burn must have been pretty bad if they couldn't identify him.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, the burn must have been pretty bad if they couldn't identify him.</div> I'm suprised they found his dental work in place. He was burned and also hit by a freight train. Pretty crazy.
man this shocked me more than anything, i always thought Eddie Griffin was a good player, he was great in collage and i always had him on my team in nba live and 2K. RIP Eddie Griffin.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Not a surprising ending for Griffin. Sad to hear he dies this young and wasted several opportunities. I wouldn't rule out suicide or possibly driving under the influence. RIP.</div> Probably both. He had a history of depression IIRC and definitely alcoholism. Wouldn't surprise me if he was mentally ill or chronically depressed, he definitely seemed troubled. I just don't see it being likely that him crashing through the gates and being hit by a train was coincidental. I imagine that it would most likely have to be coordinated willingly. RIP
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He was burned and also hit by a freight train. Pretty crazy.</div> Yeah, some one really had it out for Eddie. Sad ending to what was once a promising young career, I always liked Eddies potential, but he was just one of 'those' guys, riddled with problems. R.I.P.
This is shocking, I can't believe it. I hate to say this but hopefully this will be a wake up call to other players who act in an unprofessional manner. Man Eddie was a great shot blocker and could shoot 3's. RIP Eddie Griffin
I imagine that this was a suicide. Not too often do people get hit by a freight train. The kid was definitely talented. Probably would have been the overall number one pick in 2001 had he not have had a reputation as being a hot head. He had an instance in Houston where he shot at his girlfriend whenever she caught him sleeping with someone else in his home and he had that infamous car accident while he was driving drunk masterbating to porn. Can't say that I'm surprised by this but it is sad nonetheless. People have no idea how much athletic setbacks affect the psyche of an individual. I don't believe that this would have happened if he were under contract with an NBA team right now.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Not a surprising ending for Griffin. Sad to hear he dies this young and wasted several opportunities. I wouldn't rule out suicide or possibly driving under the influence. RIP. This is the second teammate KG has played with who died in a car accident. The first was Malik Sealy.</div> Yea, when i heard about it on ESPN radio this morning they said that he drove his truck into the train. I was like "maybe he didnt do it on purpose" cause the way they were saying it made it seem like it was suicide
