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

Related: Vikings’ Homecoming King Plans to Retire Sooner Than Later

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.

And every summer, without fail, there are news stories circulating on NFL players that range anywhere from weird, to unfortunate, to downright tragic. One year ago, the Minnesota Vikings saw the worst of what this month-long break can bring.

Around the 4th of July, 2024, newly drafted cornerback Khyree Jackson died in an early-morning car accident near his hometown in Maryland. Days later, Jordan Addison was arrested on suspicion of DUI near LAX Airport, after he was found asleep at the wheel of his very expensive car.

Former Minnesota Vikings cannot stay out of trouble

The NFL’s 2025 break is nearly over. Teams will start to gather for training camp this weekend, and so far (knock on wood) the Minnesota Vikings have gone incident free. The same cannot be said for former players, however.

In late June, reports surfaced of a recent Adrian Peterson poker room brawl, which he has now spun into a future paid boxing match. Then, earlier this week, former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater was suspended by the Miami high school team he coaches, for handing out illegal benefits to his players.

Another former member of the purple and gold who may never grow out of the NFL’s summer news cycle, is longtime defensive lineman, Everson Griffen, who played 12 seasons in the league, 11 of which were spent in Minnesota.

Both during and after his football career, Griffen has had trouble keeping his life together. Past issues range from angry tweets at his QB, to DWI and drug possession arrests, to numerous battles with mental health.

Flight forced to land so Everson Griffen could be removed

Which means that the reports coming out Thursday on Griffen… might not even be the most eye-popping of his life in the spotlight. But it’s a doozy, nonetheless. According to TMZ Sports, Everson was booted off of a Delta flight Wednesday that was on its way from Chicago to Minneapolis.

The airline told TMZ that he was removed from the flight due to “unruly behavior”. Crazier yet, the flight had already taken off, meaning pilots were forced to turn the plane around and return to O’Hare Airport, shortly after taking off.

According to Delta Air Lines, Griffen had exhibited “unruly behavior” on the jet as it was making its way from Chicago to Minneapolis … which forced pilots to return to O’Hare just minutes after they departed the airport.

TMZ Sports

Related: Randy Moss Demands More from Minnesota Vikings Superstar

Once back at the Chicago terminal, according to eyewitness accounts, Griffen calmly grabbed his things and de-boarded the flight. At this point, it’s unclear exactly how “unruly” the Minnesota Vikings’ 4x Pro Bowler was, while on the flight.

TMZ included one eyewitness account, however, which claims to have seen Everson Griffen attempting to smoke something in the plane bathroom right before the situation escalated into “a confrontation with flight attendants”.

One person who was on the plane tells us it looked like Griffen was trying to smoke something in the bathroom — which caused a confrontation with flight attendants.

TMZ Sports

Former Minnesota Vikings great denies being “unruly”

Everson Griffen has confirmed he is the person in the photos obtained by TMZ, posting a somewhat cryptic text graphic to his Instagram account that reads, “I’m doing just fine. My behavior was not unruly at all.. Why would they let me go?”

Reading between Everson’s thoughts, the 37-year-old seems to be suggesting that, had he actually been “unruly” on the flight, authorities would not have released him immediately after he got off the plane.

During his Minnesota Vikings career, Everson Griffen piled up 79.5 sacks, 370 tackles (90 TFL) and 186 QB Hits. From 2015 to 2019, he was one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, posting 45 sacks, 211 tackles and 114 QB Hits in just five seasons, a stretch that earned him all four of his Pro Bowl appearances.

Who knows exactly what happened on that plane, but I’d imagine it will soon come to light. In the meantime, we’ll all hope that this is a small bump in the road of what seems to be a pretty healthy year for Griffen, after he was arrested on DWI and Cocaine possession charges in May of 2024.

Former Minnesota Vikings fan favorite Everson Griffen arrested on DWI charges

That continued early Wednesday morning when Everson was arrested by police in Mound, MN and booked in the Hennepin County jail, where he still remains at noon on Thursday, 35 hours later. It’s Griffen’s second DWI arrest in just over 10 months. He was previously arrested on DWI charges on July 22, 2023.

Everson Griffen is in the Hennepin County jail on DWI charges. #Vikings pic.twitter.com/axYdEosYVU

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 30, 2024

According to the criminal complaint, Griffen was clocked going 82 mph in a 55 mph zone and blew a .10 during his preliminary breathalyzer test. There was also .20 grams of cocaine found in his possession. After getting out of jail on Thursday, he reportedly has made his way to Target Center for game 5 of Timberwolves vs Mavericks.

Everson Griffen sighting… 👀

— Reggie Wilson (@ReggieWilsonTV) May 31, 2024

We do not yet know how this story ends so please keep that in mind as you go through this blog. Even the posts themselves have since been deleted. We are only now starting to find out how this has and still is playing out. Everson Griffen has allegedly locked himself in his own house, where he still remains. Authorities believe him to be alone.

The Minnesota Vikings, via Twitter, have released a statement that says they have mental health staff on-site at Griffen’s home and that they are cooperating with law enforcement. Local law enforcement has also released a statement with some of the information you read from above. Those statements are also embedded at the bottom of this blog.

WARNING: VIDEO COULD BE SEEN AS GRAPHIC BY SOME AUDIENCES

There is great concern for the well being of Everson Griffen, who posted a frightening video overnight of him wielding a handgun and also put this on Instagram … pic.twitter.com/aUatiAJYiG

— Bob “The BS Show” Sansevere (@bobsansevere) November 24, 2021

#Vikings DE Everson Griffen recently posted these on instagram, prayers for ev???????? #MentalHealthMatters pic.twitter.com/wK0ezIf5ge

— SkolHub???????????? (@CousinsToJJets) November 24, 2021

Ontem, Everson Griffen postou esse vídeo no Instagram. Ele tava armado falando que pessoas estavam tentando entrar na casa pra matar ele pic.twitter.com/JblHL13pU2

— Viking Sincero⚔️????️ (@Viking_Sincero) November 24, 2021

UPDATE (11 AM CT)

As of 10:45 AM CT, the Minnetrista Police department was on site at Griffen’s home and have been there since 7 AM Wednesday morning. Griffen, at that time, was still refusing to come out. The statement also says that Everson told 911 dispatchers an intruder was in his home and that he has fired a weapon. The police were not able to locate an intruder. Authorities are confident Griffen is alone inside of his house.

We will keep you updated as more comes out. Hopefully this comes to a quick and positive resolution and nobody is or gets hurt. Here are the statements from police, the Vikings and comments from Mike Zimmer.

Statement from Minnetrista police said Everson Griffen told a 911 dispatcher he fired a weapon, but no one was injured. Griffen has refused to come out of his home, though police say they are confident he is alone. https://t.co/7UPMQeox7W

— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) November 24, 2021

Statement from the #Vikings pic.twitter.com/9jARTVVCor

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 24, 2021

LIVE: Head Coach Mike Zimmer addresses the media https://t.co/zKNEWvSV6A

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 24, 2021

Everson Griffen, has battled with his mental health in the past. In 2018, it reached a very public breaking point. After receiving help and getting his mind into a better space, Ev returned to football and thankfully, his time off the field since had been much less newsworthy, until today.

Let’s all hope this comes to an end in the most positive way possible.

UPDATE: 3:30 PM

The Minnesota Vikings have released another statement saying that, this afternoon, Everson Griffen ended his in-home hold out came out and “is getting the help he needs”. Rick Spielman was on site at Griffen’s house for much of the day and spoke with media in the late afternoon. You could tell the day had taken a toll on him.

Thankfully, the situation peacefully came to an end.

An update from the @Vikings regarding DE Everson Griffen: pic.twitter.com/X9g11ohUHA

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2021

LIVE: GM Rick Spielman addresses the media
https://t.co/ECNPHqq6J7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 24, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

But neither played for the purple in 2020. Everson Griffen signed with Dallas and was eventually traded to Detroit. Danielle Hunter missed the entire season with a mysterious neck injury that we later found out was a slipped disk. The future was cloudy but it felt like we had seen the last of Everson and Danielle terrorizing QB’s in the same backfield.

But not so fast! Griffen signed back with the Vikings during training camp and Danielle Hunter, after a surgery to repair his slipped disc, signed an altered contract and returned as well. And when the lights went on, the two picked up right where they had left off in 2019.

The Vikings are one of two teams in the NFL that have two pass rushers with at least 4.0 sacks.

Danielle Hunter (6.0) and Everson Griffen (4.0) join Khalil Mack (5.0) Robert Quinn (4.5) as the only pass rushing duo with at least 4.0 sacks through the first five weeks. pic.twitter.com/KBZdqmiONI

— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) October 14, 2021

Now this is pass rushing pic.twitter.com/PjqhbhCdwR

— Nick Olson (@NickOlsonNFL) September 28, 2021

Hunter ???? Griffen

The duo combined for a BIG play against the Lions! pic.twitter.com/mXhGwv8i0h

— Minnesota Vikings UK (@UKVikings) October 12, 2021

2021 resurgence from Griffen

#97 has been the biggest and most pleasant surprise. Brought back on the cheap this offseason, the veteran defensive end wasn’t expected to take a large portion of the team’s snaps. Using Pro Football Reference’s AV (Approximate Value) metric, Everson Griffen had one of the worst seasons of his career while with Dallas and Detroit in 2020.

From 2014-2019, Griffen compiled 55 AV (AVG 11 AV/YR), which is very good. He went to Pro Bowls every season during that stretch except 2018, when he only reached 6 AV. Last year, while away from Minnesota, Griffen posted a meager 2 AV. The man was simply born to be a Minnesota Viking.

Entering the season, Zimmer and Patterson expected Stephen Weatherly, D.J. Wonnum, and Everson Griffen to play in a rotation at right defensive end. But then the games started and Griffen far-and-away outperformed the others.

Here are the Pro Football Focus grades for Hunter, Griffen and Weatherly, through six weeks. Looking for DJ Wonnum? PFF lists him as an interior defender, where he ranks 101/104 with a 47.5 overall grade. Luckily, thanks to Griffen’s return, it hasn’t mattered.

.@EversonGriffen‘s spin move remains lethal

????: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/OFYscbsuAA

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 10, 2021

Danielle Hunter hasn’t missed a beat

Griffen has gotten a lot of the attention and praise so far this season and rightfully so. He’s greatly exceeded expectations. When healthy, everyone expects Danielle Hunter to dominate his competition. So when he does, it isn’t news. But we’re still talking about a guy who missed all of 2020 with a serious neck injury. That isn’t the part of your body you want to ignore, especially if you smash head-first into people for a living.

But as seen in the PFF grades above, Hunter has regained his status as a top-10 defensive end.

Hunter’s six sacks through six games, even in a 16 game season, is pacing to beat his career high of 14.5, which he has accomplished twice. Getting Hunter back as pretty much the same player was the best case scenario on that side of the line. A 100% Danielle Hunter and vintage Everson Griffen is way more than we could have asked for.

danielle hunter is impossible. How does he make this play lol pic.twitter.com/Nu6OimqUC6

— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) October 18, 2021

Better than ever?

If Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen continue on their current tear, they’d total just under 30 sacks in the league’s first 17-game season. That would outpace their previous single-season high of 22.5 combined sacks.

The only question now is how long will this keep up? Can Danielle Hunter continue his 16 sack pace? How long can Everson Griffen play like he’s in his prime? At 33 years old, will he eventually run out of steam given his current usage?

With the Minnesota Vikings upcoming gauntlet of a schedule, Griffen, Hunter and the rest of the defense will have to be at their best.

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan

The news was first reported by Darren Wolfson of KSTP and SKOR North on yesterday’s (CH. 5) 6:50 PM news coverage, who called the accident a “minor fender bender”. He also said that Everson is expected to be ok.

Everson Griffen was involved in a car accident on his way into the practice facility on Thursday. Mike Zimmer said the DE swerved to miss a deer in the road. It’s why he showed up on the injury report with a concussion.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 17, 2021

Rest of Vikings Injury Report

Eric Kendricks, who also showed up on the injury report pretty randomly Thursday, was back at practice on Friday. As expected, Anthony Barr and Christian Darrisaw have been ruled out for Sunday vs the Arizona Cardinals.

#MINvsAZ injury report

OUT: Anthony Barr, Christian Darrisaw, Everson Griffen, Harrison Hand

QUESTIONABLE: Eric Kendricks

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 17, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Sean Mannion was cut by the Seahawks and the Vikings are expected to bring him back, in favor of everyone’s favorite Friday Night TCO Performance Lights QB, Jake Browning. But the most notable returnee of the day is Everson Griffen, who reportedly signed this evening to return to Minnesota.

The #Vikings re-signed DE Everson Griffen, per source. They needed the roster spot for a day to make other moves, but as expected, Griffen’s back.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 1, 2021

Yesterday’s panic is today’s celebration.

Other moves

The aforementioned, Ameer Abdullah, was signed back to the Vikings practice squad today, too. He wasn’t the only one. Others joining him include everyone’s favorite guard, Dakota Dozier. In another surprise move, punter Britton Colquitt was cut, which currently leaves Minnesota without a punter. If any specialist was to be cut today, most thought it’d be kicker Greg Joseph. Now, after Colquitt was cut today and the long snapper yesterday, Joseph is the only guy left in the room.

The Vikings cut punter Britton Colquitt, according to today's transactions wire. Interesting. There's one specialist – kicker Greg Joseph – currently on the roster.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 1, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Vikings cut Everson Griffen according to the waiver wire. Surprise move.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 31, 2021

I’m confused on what happened with Everson Griffen within the last week.
Why go through the PR sideshow then release him after quality reps in last game?? #Vikings

— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) August 31, 2021

So what gives?

Nothing is guaranteed at this point, including an Everson Griffen return. But, there does appear to be a method to the Vikings’ madness today.

Everson Griffen, Ameer Abdullah and others who were cut today are not subjected to waivers, according to reports from Chris Tomasson (Pioneer Press) and others. That means, after the Vikings place multiple players on injured reserve tomorrow, these recently cut veterans will be eligible to sign again.

That’s what most “in the know” are expecting. Everson Griffen still wants to finish his career in Minnesota and has already expressed his deep regrets in ever leaving. We’ll see how true that holds out to be.

Word is that #Vikings are a good bet to bring back DE Everson Griffen. Keep in mind he was released as a vested vet as well as Ameer Abdullah, Andrew DePaola, Dakota Dozier, Tye Smith and they don't go have to go through waivers. So Griffen could be a simple re-signing.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 31, 2021

The #Vikings' cuts included DE Everson Griffen, who just re-signed days ago, but don't be surprised if he's back later in the week. Griffen wants to finish his career in Minnesota and many teams are releasing veterans to free up roster spots for a day or two.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Can Kirk rack up more wins and push his team into the playoffs? If so, he, Zimmer and most of his teammates will get raises for 2022. If not, the 2021 Vikings will be flipped like an overcooked pancake, straight into the off-season trash. Rebuild mode.

Off-the-field drama

Beyond the football field, however, the recent noise surrounding Kirk Cousins has been deafening. He’s been dubbed the face of the NFL’s anti-vaccine mandate movement and that’s made him the media’s punching bag. But just as the “vax or die” crowd was fading into the background, Kirk was dragged into more controversy.

It came yesterday when the Vikings signed former DE Everson Griffen after he worked out for the team last week.

Bringing in a declining DE who grew up in your defensive scheme wouldn’t be a big deal, except that Griffen tweeted, “Kirk Cousins is ass”, last season while with the Detroit Lions. Cousins didn’t flinch when asked about the signing earlier today. Just like everything else that’s been thrown his way, Kirk shrugged it off as nothing.

And to deflect the attention somewhere else, during Wednesday’s press conference, Kirk Cousins turned the end of his availability into a frank conversation about Pioneer Press reporter, Chris Tomasson’s clothing choices.

The conversation was priceless. This is Kirk at his best.

Today, Kirk Cousins talked about Everson Griffen's apology and definitely didn't make fun of Chris Tomasson's international fashion choices. ???? #SKOL pic.twitter.com/wAA6cL5ZQ3

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 25, 2021

I don’t know what we will get from Kirk Cousins in 2021 but he seems like a different dude than who we’ve seen over the past four seasons.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Tag-teaming a mini-scoop with @ChrisLongKSTP: Free agent DE Everson Griffen (@EversonGriffen) will tryout for the #Vikings tomorrow.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 18, 2021

Minnesota has a starting defensive end spot still available, opposite Danielle Hunter. But at this point, most of us thought they’d pick from what they already have in-house. Stephen Weatherly, DJ Wonnum, Jalyn Holmes and Hercules Mata’afa have battled for that position all of camp.

The Everson Griffen + Minnesota Viking story has been a rollercoaster since he left the organization and signed with the Dallas Cowboys this time last year. We’ve covered it all, which includes Kirk Cousins shade and many Twitter regrets. But, never say never.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan