Former MN Viking Fought the Law and Lost Again

For a relatively significant stretch from 2000 to 2020, the Minnesota Vikings players found themselves in trouble with the law at an alarming rate that was much higher than other teams around the league. Thankfully, times have changed, but there are still exceptions to the rule.

Last summer, it was Jordan Addison who was found asleep behind the wheel near LAX airport. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI, charges that were eventually pleaded down to a “wet reckless” charge. He will will serve a three-game suspension to open the 2025 season.

Prior to that incident back in California, Addison was cited for driving 140 MPH in a 55 MPH zone on I-94 in Minneapolis. Of course, this article wasn’t written to kick the Addison’s dead horse. Because compared to some of the most infamous troublemakers in Vikings history, Jordan might as well be a church boy.

One of the more recent Vikings who, to this day continues to have run-ins with the law, is former Pro Bowl defensive lineman, Everson Griffen. And his issues with law enforcement go back a decade or more and oftentimes stem back to his ongoing mental health battles.

Former Minnesota Vikings fan favorite runs into law again

Despite having played his last NFL snap in 2021, Everson Griffen is still a resident of Minnesota. And more recently, the 2010 fourth round NFL Draft pick has been showing signs that his internal demons may be getting the best of him more often than he and his loved ones would like.

According to Nick Ferraro (Pioneer Press), Griffen — who has diagnosed Bipolar disorder — was pulled over by Minnetonka police at 10:15 PM on Friday for allegedly driving 130 MPH in a 60 MPH zone.

Griffen, who is on probation for a DWI conviction, was pulled over in his 2020 Bentley Bentayga SUV by Minnetonka police on I-494 near Stone Road about 10:15 p.m. for allegedly going 130 mph in a 60 mph zone, court records show. The 37-year-old from Minnetrista was cited for misdemeanor reckless driving and speeding, a petty misdemeanor.

Pioneer Press

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This latest infraction comes less than two months after Everson was arrested on a July 19 warrant where court documents show he “failed to abstain from alcohol and substance use and did not comply with random drug testing.”

Said warrant was acted on just a couple of days after an incident where he was kicked off of a Delta Air Lines flight for “unruly behavior”. Griffen was supposed to enter a treatment program at The Retreat in Wayzata, earlier this summer. His behavior has been erratic, dating back to his playing days, but these incidents are multiplying lately.

We know Griffen suffers from mental health issues, possibly related to football. He’s taken action in the past, and gotten the help he’s needed. But the fan-favorite Viking seems to be spiraling down. If he doesn’t act soon, I worry about what the next headline involving Everson Griffen will be.

Griffen’s rap sheet continues to get longer

Right now, the 37-year-old’s DUI case is still pending, but there’s no doubt this latest infraction will put a wrench into Everson’s probation plans. Here is the list of Griffen’s run-ins with law enforcement, a rap sheet that has been growing at an alarming rate lately.

Griffen also missed time in 2018 due to mental health issues, and called 911 in 2021 after posting disturbing messages and claiming there was an intruder in his home despite no one being present.

There is clearly a lot wrong with Griffen, and until he submits to a serious level of help, change isn’t likely to follow. For now though, it’d be best is someone took away his keys so the rest of the state doesn’t need to be at risk.