In a 2018 interview with the Spokane "Spokesman-Review", Rypien's wife stated that she believes he is suffering from Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from his years of playing football, with bizarre behavior occurring from time to time. Rypien himself confirmed that he has had struggles with mental health since his retirement from football, even attempting to take his own life by overdosing on pills before his wife stopped him. On June 30, 2019, he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and was charged with fourth-degree assault. This charge was dismissed on August 30, 2019.