After the Jordan Addison Mishap — Now What?
Minnesota Vikings rookie Jordan Addison was charged with reckless driving in the Twin Cities early Thursday morning after traveling 140 MPH in a 55 MPH zone.
The playmaker is scheduled to attend Vikings training camp Sunday, and it is unclear if the infraction changes the plan.
After the Jordan Addison Mishap — Now What?
Minnesota will rely on Addison in 2023 and beyond as Adam Thielen’s replacement after the longtime Viking was released in March and joined the Carolina Panthers about a week later.
So, now what on Addison?
The Domino Effect
Time is the only item that will solve this riddle.
You might look back in eight or so years and think, “Remember that time Addison got busted in the summer of 2023?” And it could be weird to ponder because he had since ‘figured it out.’
Otherwise, based on a pattern of behavior, this could be the first of many bad or wacky doings from the new Viking. It’s all up to him to decide if this reckless driving charge is a one-and-done.
No matter how you dice it, the infraction is not a good start for Addison in Minnesota, but his performance hereafter — on and off the field — will dictate if the 140 MPH nugget is a domino effect.
A Lesson Learned
On the other hand, Addison is mere days away from socializing with teammates — pretty much every day for the next six months. Training camp begins on July 23rd. Some coach or veteran player must whisper in his ear that blazing down Interstate 94 isn’t worth it.
Reckless driving isn’t ideal, but it’s also not a crime with vicious malice aforethought. It’s stupidity and youth gone wild. The man has talked about a need for speed before and took it to the street on Thursday morning.
Now, he needs to stop. Easy peasy.
Obligatory Whataboutism
In June, KSTP reported about Vikings offensive lineman Oli Udoh, “A player for the Minnesota Vikings was three cited different times in May for driving violations, including allegedly speeding 97 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. Olisaemeka Udoh, who goes by Oli Udoh, was cited on two different days for speeding, and a third for reckless driving, according to court records. The first citation was issued just before 8 p.m. on May 4, 2023. It’s alleged Udoh was driving 97 mph in a 55 mph zone on I-94 near Hwy 61 in St. Paul.”
Udoh is 26 and has played for the Vikings for four seasons.
“Just two days later, on May 6, Udoh was cited for reckless driving near I-35E and Cayuga Street in St. Paul. The citation alleges Udoh was weaving in and out of traffic at a high speed and driving in the carpool lane with no passenger. On May 25, Udoh received a third traffic citation around 1 p.m. in the afternoon. Court records state Udoh went from the ramp to the far left lane on Hwy 77, driving 64 mph in a 55 mph zone. The ticket alleges Udoh rolled the window up on the State Patrol trooper as he was trying to explain the citation to Udoh,” KSTP wrote about Udoh’s infractions.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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