Everson Griffen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Everson Griffen

Griffen with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020
No. 97, 98
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1987-12-22) December 22, 1987 (age 37) Avondale, Arizona, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	273 lb (124 kg)
Career information
High school:	Agua Fria (Avondale)
College:	USC
NFL Draft:	2010 / Round: 4 / Pick: 100
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2010–2019) Dallas Cowboys (2020) Detroit Lions (2020) Minnesota Vikings (2021)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Pro (2017) 4× Pro Bowl (2015–2017, 2019) Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2007) Second-team All-Pac-10 (2009)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 403 Sacks: 85.5 Forced fumbles: 10 Fumble recoveries: 6 Interceptions: 2 Pass deflections: 20 Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Everson Griffen (born December 22, 1987) is an American football player who used to play professionally. He was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Griffen went to Agua Fria High School and played college football for the USC Trojans team. The Minnesota Vikings picked him in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft (when teams choose new players). He played for the Vikings for 10 seasons. Later, he played for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions before returning to the Vikings in 2021.

Early Life and High School Football

Everson Griffen grew up in Avondale, Arizona. He went to Agua Fria High School, which is the same school as famous Vikings player Randall McDaniel. In high school, Griffen played both defensive lineman and running back for his team, the Owls.

When he was a junior, he ran for 794 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 168 yards, including one amazing 71-yard play where he ran past everyone. On defense, even with many players trying to stop him, he made 47 tackles, five sacks, and recovered three fumbles.

In his senior year, Griffen was a star. He made 77 tackles and 16 sacks as a defensive end. He also ran for 1,251 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a running back. He was named "Super Prep Player of the Year" and "Scout.com Player of the Year." He also earned many other honors, showing he was one of the best high school players in the country.

Griffen was also a great track & field athlete. In 2007, he won both the shot put and discus events in his state. He could throw the shot put 17.67 meters (58 feet) and the discus 55.11 meters (180 feet, 8 inches). After his junior year, he ran a very fast 40-yard dash (4.46 seconds) for someone his size (6-foot-4, 260 pounds). This earned him the nickname "the Freak." He was also a first-team all-region player in basketball.

Choosing a College

After high school, Griffen was chosen to play in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. This is a special game for top high school players. He visited several major colleges like USC, Michigan, and Florida. On November 24, 2006, he decided to play for the USC Trojans.

College Football Career

Freshman Year (2007)

Griffen after a 2008 preseason fall practice

Griffen had a great first year as a backup defensive end for USC in 2007. He mostly played when the team needed to rush the passer. He played in all 13 games and started two of them. He made 21 tackles, including 5.5 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one.

He was the first true freshman (first-year player) at USC to start a game on the defensive line in 21 years. In a game against Oregon State, he had six tackles and a career-high 3.5 sacks. For his strong performance, he was named a Freshman All-American by several sports groups. He was also named the Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year.

Sophomore Year (2008)

Griffen heading into Notre Dame Stadium with then-defensive coor. Nick Holt.

In 2008, Griffen continued to be a key player for USC. He was known as a specialist in rushing the passer. He played in 12 games and started the first three of them. He made 18 tackles, including 4.5 sacks.

Junior Year (2009)

In 2009, Griffen played in 13 games and started 11. He finished the season with 45 total tackles and eight sacks. He also forced one fumble. For his efforts, Griffen was named to the second-team All-Pac-10 team.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

After his junior year at USC, Griffen decided to leave college early and enter the 2010 NFL draft. At the NFL Scouting Combine, where players show off their skills, Griffen impressed everyone. He ran a very fast 40-yard dash (4.59 seconds) and lifted 225 pounds 32 times. This showed off his amazing athletic ability.

Minnesota Vikings (First Time)

2010 Season

Aaron Rodgers sacked by Griffen, 2012

The Minnesota Vikings picked Griffen in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was the 100th player chosen overall. In his first year, he played in 11 games and made 11 tackles.

2011 Season

In his second season, Griffen played in all 16 games for the Vikings. He often played on special teams, helping the team with kick returns. He also had 4 sacks, which was the fourth-highest on the team. His special teams tackles ranked second on the team. In Week 2, he got his first career sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2012 Season

Griffen in 2012

Griffen started the 2012 season slowly but finished strong. He made five sacks and scored a touchdown on an interception in the last seven games. His first sack of the year was a big one, bringing down quarterback Andrew Luck for a 22-yard loss. This was one of the longest sacks in Vikings history.

In Week 15, Griffen scored his first career touchdown. He intercepted a pass and ran it back 29 yards for a score. This was a key play in a win that helped the Vikings get closer to the playoffs. The next week, he started his first NFL game. In the final game of the season, he had a career-best 3 sacks against the Green Bay Packers. This win helped the Vikings make it to the playoffs. He also had a sack in his first playoff game.

2013 Season

In 2013, Griffen played in all 16 games, moving around the defensive line. He finished the season with 5.5 sacks. In a game in London against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he made a game-winning play. He stripped the ball from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, helping the Vikings win. He ended the season with 27 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

2014 Season

Griffen rushing Jay Cutler, 2014

In March 2014, Griffen signed a new five-year contract with the Vikings. He had a fantastic season in his first year as a full-time starter. He started all 16 games, which was a big change from his first four seasons. In Week 7, he had a career-high nine tackles and tied his career-high with 3 sacks against the Buffalo Bills.

He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. He had six sacks and forced a fumble that month. In Week 13, Griffen returned a blocked punt 43 yards for a touchdown. This was the longest blocked punt return in Vikings history. He finished the season with 57 tackles and a career-best 12 sacks. This led the team and was among the best in the league.

2015 Season

Griffen was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17. In a game against the Green Bay Packers, he had two sacks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. One of these was a strip-sack, where he knocked the ball loose. A teammate recovered it and ran it back for a 55-yard touchdown.

Griffen finished his second year as a starter with 10.5 sacks. He was the first player in his coach's defense to have double-digit sacks in two years in a row. In January, Griffen was chosen to play in the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl. This was his first time being invited to the special all-star game.

2016 Season

In 2016, the Vikings opened their new stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium, with a win against the Green Bay Packers. Griffen had a sack and forced a fumble in that game. In Week 3, he tied his career-high with 3 sacks against the Carolina Panthers. The Vikings sacked the Panthers' quarterback eight times in that game. Griffen was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week again.

He finished the season with 48 tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. Other players in the NFL ranked him as the 92nd best player in the league for 2017.

2017 Season

In July 2017, Griffen signed a new four-year contract with the Vikings. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Griffen had at least one sack in each of the Vikings' first eight games. This was a rare achievement for a Vikings defensive lineman.

On December 19, 2017, Griffen was named to his third straight Pro Bowl. In a playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, Griffen tipped a pass that led to an interception by his teammate. The Vikings won that game in a famous play called the "Minneapolis Miracle." They advanced to the NFC Championship, where their season ended. Other players ranked him as the 19th best player in the NFL for 2018.

2018 Season

Griffen played in 11 games in the 2018 season. He missed five games due to a personal matter. He finished the season with 5.5 sacks and 33 tackles.

2019 Season

Griffen returned to football in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, getting a sack in the win. In Week 3, he recorded another sack against the Oakland Raiders. In Week 6, Griffen made his second career interception during a fake field-goal attempt by the Philadelphia Eagles.

On January 21, 2020, Griffen was named to the 2020 Pro Bowl. This was his fourth time being selected for the Pro Bowl. On February 20, 2020, Griffen decided to leave his contract with the Vikings and become a free agent.

Dallas Cowboys

On August 16, 2020, Griffen signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He said he chose the Cowboys because he grew up as a fan of the team. He was even named after a famous Cowboys player, Everson Walls.

In Week 2, Griffen got his first sack with the Cowboys against the Atlanta Falcons. This sack helped the team come back and win the game. On October 27, he was traded to another team. He played in seven games for the Cowboys, making 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Detroit Lions

On October 27, 2020, the Cowboys traded Griffen to the Detroit Lions. He played in seven games for the Lions, starting two of them. He made 13 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Minnesota Vikings (Second Time)

On August 23, 2021, Griffen signed a new deal to return to the Minnesota Vikings. He was briefly released but then re-signed with the team a few days later. Griffen suffered a concussion in September 2021 after a car accident. He was placed on a special list in November 2021 to deal with a personal mental health issue.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season

Postseason

Personal Life

Everson Griffen is married to Tiffany. They have three sons together. Their oldest son, Greyson, was born in 2013. Their second son, Ellis, was born in 2015. Their youngest son, Sebastian Gregory, was born in 2017.