Eddie Griffin, R.I.P.

By Steve

Sad news for the Seton Hall University community and fans of basketball everywhere. Eddie Griffin (the basketball player not the typecast comedian) died on August 17th in a car/freight-train collision. The news of his death didn’t come about until yesterday because his body was so badly burned that it had to be identified by dental records.

Griffin came to Seton Hall in 2000 but left after a huge freshman year to join the NBA draft. From that point his life went downhill as he battled years of alcohol and drug problems. After being waived by the Timberwolves for violating its substance-abuse program Griffin hit the skids.

Eddie was at Seton Hall the year before me and I never got a chance to see him play; but I had always heard he was an egomaniac with balls bigger than Shaq.

Personality and tribulations notwithstanding, our condolences go out to the Griffin family – and may he rest in peace.