Dimitrius Underwood

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Dimitrius Underwood (born March 29, 1977) is a former professional American football defensive end for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys franchises. Underwood also had a brief stint in the Canadian Football League in mid-2005.

Underwood played college football for the Michigan State University and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, 29th overall the 1999 NFL Draft. After being drafted, he signed a five year, $5.3 million contract in August 1, 1999 but walked out of training camp the next day, saying he could not resolve the conflict between playing football and serving his Christian faith. The Vikings released him later that month. Underwood would later change his mind and decided to return to professional football. He was claimed on waivers by the Miami Dolphins after 23 teams passed on him. He only played one preseason game for the Dolphins before getting injured.

In September 1999, Underwood attempted to commit suicide by slashing his own neck before repeatedly yelling "I'm not worthy of God". According to his mother, his behavior had been influenced by attending the Immanuel's Temple Community Church in Lansing, Michigan which she describes as a "cult that's posing as a church." The church's reverend stated that neither he nor his wife had ever counseled Underwood and that no one in the church told Underwood to leave football.

Underwood later spent two months in protective care and was diagnosis with bipolar disorder. After he escaped from a psychiatric care facility, he was released from the Miami Dolphins in December 1999. He later signed with the Dallas Cowboys with a two year contract. During the 2000-2001 seasons, Underwood had 21 tackles and 4 sacks in 19 games. In January 2001, he tried to kill himself for the second time by running into traffic twice on a busy suburban highway.

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