Former Vikings Pro Bowl defender arrested on suspicion of DUI
By Jerry Trotta
The Minnesota Vikings report to training camp Sunday, but camp has been pushed to the back-burner after 2023 first-round pick Jordan Addison was cited for reckless driving and speeding early Thursday morning.
According to the citation, Addison was driving upwards of 140 mph in a 55 mph zone. The No. 23 overall pick, who issued an apology statement Friday, is expected to fill big shoes following the release of longtime Vikings receiver Adam Thielen.
Before Vikings fans could properly digest that news -- and maybe even reset their expectations for Addison's rookie year -- one of the team's most productive defenders of the last decade, Everson Griffen, was arrested Saturday in Chanhassen on suspicion of driving under the influence.
According to jail records, Griffen was booked in Carver County Jail after 12:30 p.m. Saturday and released an hour later.
According to the jail roster, it appears former #Vikings player Everson Griffen was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Chanhassen.
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) July 23, 2023
He was booked and released yesterday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/dJRoppIAP2
Former Vikings DE Everson Griffen arrested on suspicion of DUI.
A former fourth round pick of the Vikings in 2010, Griffen still lives in Minnesota. He played a decade with the franchise and had brief stints with the Cowboys and Lions in 2020 before returning to the Vikings in 2021.
While Griffen was more effective than expected that year (five sacks, 10 QB hits 33 pressures and four TFL in nine games), Vikings fans likely more so remember the pass rusher's off-field disturbance when he posted an alarming video to Instagram that forced police and medical professionals to respond to his home.
After the incident, Griffen revealed he had bipolar disorder and took a mental leave of absence from football.
In 2018, Griffen was treated at a Minnesota hospital after police were called to Hotel Ivy, where he had been staying, following a disturbance. There are discrepancies between the report and what actually happened, but this marked the first in a growing list of off-field incidents involving Griffen over the last handful of years.
It's not clear if Griffen was formally charged for DUI. If he has any desire to return to football in 2023, this arrest won't help his cause.
We'll provide updates on this story as they are made available.
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