EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings are signing Shaq to the roster.
Well … not that Shaq.
Shaq Griffin isn't quite as tall as the four-time NBA champ, measuring in at 6 feet. But the cornerback does have a knack for deflecting passes.
Minnesota announced Tuesday the team has agreed to terms with Griffin.
The 28-year-old played for the Texans and the Panthers in 2023. He played 10 games for Houston, making six starts, and recorded 33 tackles and four tackles for loss. The Texans waived Griffin on Nov. 29, and he was claimed by Carolina the next day. He appeared in three games for the Panthers, making one start, and logged six tackles and a pass defensed.
Originally a third-round draft selection by Seattle in 2017, Griffin played his first four NFL seasons for the Seahawks, where he teamed from 2018-20 with his twin brother Shaquem. The outside linebacker was a fifth-round draft pick in 2018 despite having had his left hand amputated.
Griffin joined Jacksonville in 2021 for two seasons, making 19 starts before he landed on Injured Reserve with a back injury following Week 6 of the 2022 season.
Over his career thus far, Griffin has started 79 of 89 regular-season games played. He's totaled 366 tackles, seven interceptions, 1.0 sack, 12 tackles for loss, 64 passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Here are five things to know about the Vikings new corner:
- Former Knight
Griffin played for UCF (the University of Central Florida) from 2013-16.
Though he received offers from other teams, he opted to attend UCF to do so along with Shaquem.
Griffin recorded 49 tackles, four interceptions, 15 passes defensed and a fumble recovery as a senior for the Knights. He returned one of the picks for a touchdown against Tulane.
- Hails from Florida
Griffin was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and attended Lakewood High School. He was a three-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, football and track.
He shares an alma mater with a number of former and current NFL players, including former Vikings receiver Rodney Adams, Commanders pass rusher Dante Fowler and Chiefs receiver Maquez Valdes-Scantling.
View photos of CB Shaq Griffin who joined the Vikings during free agency.
- Double twins?
As mentioned above, Griffin is a twin, having been born one minute ahead of Shaquem.
The Vikings now have two twins on their roster after signing running back Aaron Jones earlier in free agency. Jones is younger than his twin brother Alvin by 30 minutes.
The Griffin brothers are identical twins, while the Jones twins are fraternal.
- Father of 2
Griffin and his partner Tokyo Jetz, who is a rapper, didn't have twins, but they do have two children, Amir and Amor.
Amir was born in September 2019, and the couple welcomed their daughter in April 2023.
Griffin shared Amor's newborn photos, which included two that were miniature-spa themed, in May.
- Eyes on a speaking career
Griffin enjoys motivating his teammates, and he also hopes to one day be a motivational speaker around the world.
"I want to do it on the international level. I would want to go to London because it's a football place and it would be easier to start there," Griffin told Seahawks.com in 2019. "I want to talk about what I've been through growing up, me and my brother talking about his story and our story together, and what got us through."
