The Vikings really botched their top pick..........
First-round pick Underwood decides not to play for Vikings
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA (TICKER) -- Defensive end Dimitrius Underwood, the first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings who went AWOL after his first practice on August 2, has told the team he has no desire to play football.
Underwood met with Vikings coach Dennis Green on Tuesday night and told him he has decided not to play for the Vikings. Late tonight, the team announced it reached a settlement with Underwood, who signed a five-year, $5.03 million contract before training camp.
Under terms of the agreement, Underwood will return his $1.75 million signing bonus and will be placed on waivers. The remaining financial terms will remain confidential.
"The Vikings wish Dimitrius Underwood well in his future endeavors and will have no further comment regarding this subject," the team said in a statement.
The 29th overall pick in the draft, Underwood left the team without notice after his first practice. The team was unaware of his whereabouts for a few days before his agent, Craig Domman, told the team Underwood would return by last Wednesday.
When Underwood failed to return to camp last week, even Domman admitted he was "perplexed" by Underwood's actions.
According to various reports, Underwood seriously contemplated entering the ministry. After a phone conversation with ordained minister and former NFL star Reggie White, Underwood decided to return to Minnesota on Tuesday to inform the Vikings of his plans.
When Underwood arrived in Minneapolis on Tuesday he was met by Vikings scout Jeff Robinson and team chaplain Keith Johnson. He met with Green later in the night.
The 6-6, 290-pound Underwood was expected to compete with Duane Clemons for the right end spot. The Vikings braced for Underwood's loss, signing veteran defensive tackle Joe Phillips last Thursday.
Underwood missed the entire 1998 season at Michigan State with a severe high-ankle sprain. He was slated to return in 1999 but instead enterd the draft.
He started 11 of 12 games at left end in 1997 and had 50 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks for the Spartans.
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