In brief: Former NBA player Griffin laid to rest
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 in Sharon Hill, Pa., 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 when his sport utility vehicle collided with a moving freight train near his Houston home. Griffin’s body was badly burned and there was no initial identification. Dental records later revealed the man was Griffin.
Kevin Garnett, his former Timberwolves teammate, former Seton Hall coach Tommy Amaker and former NBA coach John Lucas were among the 200 who attended.
“Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston was charged with slashing a man’s neck during a ruckus at a Manhattan nightspot – his second brush with the law this month.
Football
Irish DL reinstated
Notre Dame defensive lineman Derrell Hand, arrested last month on a misdemeanor charge of propositioning a prostitute, will be allowed to play for the Fighting Irish after serving a three-game suspension imposed by coach Charlie Weis.
Hand appeared before the school’s disciplinary committee on Monday, was reinstated to the team and began practicing that day, Weis said.
“Miami wide receiver Sam Shields has been suspended for Saturday’s season-opener against Marshall following an unspecified violation of team rules.
“Defensive tackle Jerrell Powe will be ineligible to practice and compete for Mississippi this season barring a successful appeal.
The NCAA said in a statement that the highly sought-after recruit can attend classes at Ole Miss and receive financial aid, but he can’t play football until at least the fall of 2008 if he’s met academic eligibility requirements.
Miscellany
Sevilla player dies
Sevilla (Spain) midfielder Antonio Puerta died after collapsing on the field three days ago during his team’s Spanish league match against Getafe.
Puerta, 22, died of “multiple organ failure stemming from prolonged cardiac arrest” and subsequent coronary problems, Virgen del Rocio Hospital director Gimeno Guerrero said in a statement.
“Clemson swimmer Amy Marie Moxie, 18, collapsed while jogging and died at the hospital.
“At Chicago, USA Weightlifting executive director Rodger DeGarmo Jr. was found dead, the United States Olympic Committee said. He was 38.