http://www.startribune.com/wolves/story/1388538.html
One final, sorrowful time, an Eddie Griffin highlight reel played for family
and friends.
Snapshots of Griffin as a child, as a Philadelphia prep star, smiling with
his family and shaking hands on draft night with NBA Commissioner David Stern
seemed more appropriate for a big screen All-Star tribute than flashed on a
plain white wall at a memorial service.
The photos were indicative of the way mourners at Griffin's funeral Tuesday
wanted to remember him: a family-loving kid with a tender heart and congenial
nature.
"His heart was bigger than his wingspan," said friend and former Seton Hall
teammate Marcus Toney-El.
Sadly, for those who knew the 25-year-old former NBA player, they were
powerless to stop the self-destructive demons that plagued him from high
school all the way to his mysterious death two weeks ago.
Griffin died Aug. 17 when his sport utility vehicle collided with a moving
freight train near his Houston home. His body was badly burned and there was
no initial identification. Dental records later revealed the man was Griffin.
"I guess heaven needed a power forward," Toney-El said.
Griffin last played in the NBA for the Timberwolves, joining them before the
2004-05 season and spending three seasons with them. He played his last game
in December 2006, not seeing the court again after serving a five-game
suspension in January for violating the terms of the league's anti-drug
program. He was released in March.
Former Wolves star Kevin Garnett, former Seton Hall coach Tommy Amaker and
former NBA coach John Lucas were among the 200 friends, players and family
members who attended the service at First African Baptist Church.
"He's a special guy to me," said Amaker, who coached Griffin in his one year
at Seton Hall.
Griffin's battles with alcohol, drugs and the law derailed a promising career
for the former star at Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High School. The No. 7
overall pick in the 2001 draft, Griffin played five NBA seasons with Houston
and the Wolves.
Griffin's sister, Marian Middleton, told the crowd to ignore stories that
portrayed Griffin as troubled or spoiled, and that indicated there was
anything suspicious about his death. Middleton said Griffin was excited about
spending upcoming birthdays with his nieces and nephews and would never waste
those opportunities because he loved his family.
"Everything you read, throw it in the trash, like he was so unhappy and it
was all planned," she said.
Pastor Richard R. Dent told mourners he prayed that Griffin could find with
God the peace "he could not find on this side."Eddie is now out of his
misery," Dent said. "He is now at peace and that is a good thing."
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