Vikings Players Defend Embattled Teammate
One week ago, California Highway Patrol arrested Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison for suspicion of DUI after discovering the 22-year-old asleep in his Rolls-Royce while blocking a lane of freeway traffic.
Vikings Players Defend Embattled Teammate
And that was one year after Addison was popped in the Twin Cities for reckless driving, traveling 140 MPH in a 55 MPH zone.
Last July’s incident largely went away without stern comeuppance, as Addison pleaded the charge to a misdemeanor and paid a small fine by his standards. Now, with the young wideout approaching Year No. 2 in the NFL, folks are waiting for details and a subsequent verdict on the California matter. Along the way, Addison’s teammates have defended him this week, citing youth and his need to mature.
“We can do what ifs all day but all you can do is learn at 22 years old. But y’all choose to crucify him instead,” new outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard wrote in response to an Instagram commenter. Greenard also noted, “I’m not incredibly pissed off,” referring to reports that Vikings players and coaches were unhappy with Addison regarding the incident.
And Greenard wasn’t alone. Team captain, safety Josh Metellus, addressed his teammate’s plight while speaking with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson this week. “His mistakes is our mistakes. So, as a leader of the team, I put that on me. I woke up like, ‘Yeah this is my fault. I gotta lead the young guys in a better direction.’ That’s what the leaders of the team are there for. We the ones that take the brunt of everything. We wear the ‘C’ on our chest for a reason. We got to lead the guys in the right way,” he said.
On the whole, Metellus’ tone was friendly and supportive — not combative or resentful.
“I know, if we’re tough on him, he’s even tougher on himself. He knows he messed up. He knows the situation he put himself in,” Metellus continued. “I was actually just with him in London, spent some quality time with him. He really grew on me as a teammate, as a brother. Outside of football, I’m there for him, leaning on him. Whatever happens, happens. I’m there for him. He’s my brother.”
Addison could be facing a suspension sometime this season, though it’s unclear if alcohol was actually involved. Some have claimed marijuana could be the culprit, as no mention of Addison’s BAC was found in the police report.
Metellus concluded, “Obviously he knows he messed up. I don’t need to be the one to tell him that he messed up. Just trying to be a good teammate for him.”
Another factoid that emerged? Per Metellus’ comments, Addison obviously did something wrong. A handful of Vikings fans held out hope that the infraction would be revealed as a misunderstanding or medical emergency. That doesn’t appear to be the case.
Vikings training camp begins on Tuesday for veterans, and all eyes will be on Addison and the team’s handling of his situation.
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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