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Former Viking edge rusher Everson Griffen
Former Minnesota Vikings star Everson Griffen was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated on May 29, according to local law enforcement.
Griffen, 36, was booked at Hennepin County Jail in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 12:59 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29 and was charged with driving under the influence, careless driving and fifth-degree drug possession.
The Minnesota State Patrol observed Griffen driving a Bentley Bentayga at a “high rate” of speed southbound on Interstate Highway 35W. A state trooper caught up to the vehicle and clocked Griffen traveling 82 mph in a 55 mph zone, according to charging documents.
Griffen was pulled over and showed signs of impairment, according to charges. Griffen underwent a field sobriety test and registered a 0.10 blood alcohol level from a preliminary breath test. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08.
The trooper also found a small vial containing what was later confirmed as cocaine in Griffen’s back pocket during his arrest, according to the charging documents.
Griffen’s bail was set for $12,000. He remains in police custody as of Thursday, May 30. His first appearance in court is scheduled for June 13.
Former Vikings Star Everson Griffen Was on Probation for Previous Driving Offenses
GettyEverson Griffen
This is the second time in the past year Griffen has been arrested on suspicion of DWI which led to a string of several incidents before he was placed on probation in February.
Last July, Griffen was stopped in Chanhassen and accused of driving 60 mph in a 40 mph zone. He failed a breathalyzer test with a blood-alcohol level of 0.9.
He eventually pleaded guilty to a reduced careless driving change in February and was placed on one year of probation after a string of minor offenses.
“In the months following the July 2023 drunken driving charge, Griffen crashed his car into a fence and gazebo in Mound, on [October 28]. He was cited and convicted of failure to drive with due care, a petty misdemeanor. On [December 7] in Shakopee, police stopped him for driving 55 mph in a 30 mph zone. He was convicted of a petty misdemeanor in that case as well,” The Star Tribune’s Jeff Day wrote.
Griffen wrote in the plea document: “I operated my motor vehicle carelessly. Specifically, I drove at a high rate of speed while weaving in and out of traffic, after consuming alcohol. I believe my driving conduct thus endangered myself and others.”
Under the conditions of his plea deal in February, Griffen agreed to a chemical assessment and attend a victim impact panel. He was also ordered to not drive after his license was revoked and to commit no alcohol-related or careless driving offenses, according to the Star Tribune.
Everson Griffen Gets Honest About Mental Health
GettyFormer Vikings Pro Bowl edge rusher Everson Griffen
After making four Pro Bowls in his first 10 years in the league, Griffen took a step away from football after a mental health crisis at his home during the Vikings’ 2021 season.
Griffen later addressed the episode with a photo on Instagram that includes his family, sharing that he deals with bipolar disorder.
“It’s true I am bipolar. I will embrace it and I will be an advocate for mental health. I been running from it a long time. I’m not ashamed of it anymore. It all started when my mother passed away. Went into a dark place, thought I was great for many years. I promise this time I will do everything the experts say and my wife,” Griffin wrote. “I love my family and I miss my friends. Thank you for all the love and support, but most of all thank you for all the prayers.”
Trevor Squire is a sports journalist covering the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor studied journalism at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, making stops at the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @trevordsquire. More about Trevor Squire
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