Winfield returns after brother's funeral

By Jon Krawczynski

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Sept. 14 2012 2:00 p.m. MDT

FILE - This 2012 file photo shows of Antoine Winfield of the Minnesota Vikings NFL football team. Vikings cornerback Winfield played in the season opener just a few days after his brother's murder. After laying him to rest on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, Winfield will play at Indianapolis this week just three days after the funeral.

File, Associated Press

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Summary

Antoine Winfield has returned to the Minnesota Vikings one day after the funeral for his slain brother.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Antoine Winfield has returned to the Minnesota Vikings one day after the funeral for his slain brother.

Winfield practiced on Friday and will play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The cornerback missed practice on Thursday to fly to his hometown of Akron, Ohio for the funeral. His brother, 30-year-old Anthony Travis, was killed last week.

Winfield played the season opener after hearing the news and says laying Travis to rest on Thursday was "one of the toughest days of my life."

He says he's found comfort through the support of his teammates and the Vikings organization. Vikings GM Rick Spielman flew to Akron to attend the funeral as well, and coach Leslie Frazier says Winfield has the team's full backing as he copes with the tragedy.

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