Griffen talks about the death of his mother

Defensive end Everson Griffen, who returned to practice today, talked to reporters in the locker room about the death of his mother, Sabrina Scott, on Wednesday. Here's what he had to say:

Q: Can you take us through what the past 48 hours have been like?

A: "Very, very hard for my family. But my mom was a very strong person and she would just want us to stay strong and keep on the path we're going on. None of this is possible without her. She's in a better place now and I just want to say, `Momma, I love you. It's going to be a fight, but we have to keep fighting.'"

Q: Is this the best place for you? Is that why you came back to the team so soon?

A: "My mom, she would have wanted me to come back. I'm becoming a man. I got a family on the way. Just got engaged. It's just not about me anymore. It's about my family soon to be. And the family I got now. My brother, my dad, my stepdad, just keeping them strong and keeping them going. That's why my mom made me so strong, to help the rest of the family."

Q: What went through your head when the police delivered the news to you?

A: "Just shocking. My mom was 100 percent healthy. We'll find out soon what the cause was. I know she's down watching over us now. Whatever I can do on the field for her, she loved to watch me play. That's why I'm back here, to show that I'm doing this for her. Not just for her, but for me, too, and the man that I'm becoming. Just working hard right now."

A: "I don't want to get into that."

Q: What else do you remember about her most?

A: "Just a personality like mine. Outgoing. Everybody loved her. Just a great person to be around. Just a wonderful lady. The best mom anybody could have. Cooked, cleaned, ironed your clothes, all of the above, doing it for you and giving it her last. I'm just happy to have a mom like that and, you know, one day we'll meet again. She's in a better place right now. And I know the Lord has her because she was a great person. Just keep on pushing along and supporting my family along like I know how to do."

Q: How have your teammates helped you through this?

A: "They came by to see me after Chapel, after fellowship. Love and support. That's always helps. This is the only reason I'm here is because I feel safe here. If I didn't feel safe, my mom, she would tell me. And I feel safe here and at home. It's always good to have that security and know other people got your back and you're loved. It kind of eases the pain a little bit, but it's still a tremendous and deep burning inside. You just got to keep on the same path and keep on moving on."

A: "Yes, she had been staying with me."

Q: When did she come up?