Underwood Tries to Commit Suicide Again
C O R A L S P R I N G S, Fla., Jan. 7 -- Teammates saw Dimitrius Underwood asa young defensive end with great promise. His latest suicideattempt has left them shocked and saddened.
Police said Underwood, 23, tried to end his life by twicerunning into traffic. One motorist said the Dallas Cowboys’ linemantold him he “wanted to go to Jesus.”
“It’s very shocking to me,” said defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, Underwood’s roommate on the road this season. “I called him, but obviously he didn’t call me back. I just wanted to make sure that he was well.
“I feel bad for his family because they’re the ones who haveknown him his whole life and they’re the ones it affects themost.”
Receiving Treatment
Two motorists told police that Underwood ran into traffic on abusy suburban highway Wednesday. A Coral Springs woman told policethat Underwood ran in front of her car, causing her to screech to ahalt.
Another motorist, a Pompano Beach man, said Underwood kicked anddented his car and told him he “wanted to go to Jesus,” policesaid.
Underwood cut his knee and was placed in custody at SunriseRegional Medical Center’s psychiatric unit. A Sunrise Regionalofficial today refused comment.
He was detained under Florida law that allows psychiatricfacilities to commit persons for up to 72 hours if they are deemedto be a danger to themselves or others.
No charges have been filed, Coral Springs police Sgt. RichNicorvo said.
Teammates, Coach Express Concern
Underwood, who is deeply religious, suffers from bipolardisorder. He also tried to commit suicide in Lansing, Mich., inSeptember 1999 by cutting his throat with two steak knives.
Ekuban and linebacker Dexter Coakley said they expectedUnderwood, who had four sacks and led the team with 14 quarterbackpressures in limited playing time, to play an important role on theCowboys’ defense next season.
“I’m so sorry to hear that he’s having troubles again,” Coakley said.
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