In a shocking turn of events, former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson was arrested for driving while impaired just hours after being celebrated as a Vikings legend at the team’s 2025 NFL Draft party.
According to reports, Peterson was stopped by a Minnesota State Patrol officer at approximately 3:20 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025. He was clocked driving 83 mph in a 55 mph zone. After exhibiting signs of impairment, Peterson was administered a breathalyzer test, which revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08.
He was subsequently taken into custody and booked into the Hennepin County Jail at 5:16 a.m. Peterson is facing a fourth-degree DWI charge, a misdemeanor in Minnesota typically reserved for first-time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration under 0.16.
Prior to his arrest, Peterson had been a featured guest at the Minnesota Vikings’ NFL Draft party held at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday evening. During the event, he participated in interviews with local radio station KFAN and engaged with fans as the Vikings selected offensive lineman Donovan Jackson with the 24th overall pick in the draft.
Peterson was warmly received by the crowd, who cheered as he took the stage to discuss the team’s future. The arrest occurred just hours after this celebratory event, creating a stark contrast between his public appearance and his personal legal troubles.
Adrian Peterson is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Selected seventh overall by the Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft, he made an immediate impact, earning the NFL Rookie of the Year award. His most remarkable season came in 2012, when he rushed for 2,097 yards—the second-highest single-season total in NFL history—and was named the NFL MVP.
Peterson is a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time First-Team All-Pro. With 14,918 career rushing yards, he ranks fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. After leaving the Vikings following the 2016 season, Peterson played for six different teams over his final five NFL seasons. His last NFL appearance came in 2021, split between the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. Despite not playing since then, he has not officially announced his retirement from professional football.
This arrest is the latest in a series of legal problems for Peterson. In 2014, he was indicted on charges related to child abuse after admitting to using a switch to discipline his son. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault and was suspended for nearly the entire 2014 NFL season.
Peterson has also faced traffic violations, including speeding tickets between 2009 and 2011, and was arrested in 2022 for an alleged domestic violence incident at Los Angeles International Airport, though the charges were later dropped. More recently, in December 2024, arrest warrants were issued in Texas for failing to appear in court over child support issues, though these were rescinded in February 2025. Financial troubles have also surfaced, with a court order in September 2024 requiring him to surrender assets to satisfy debts.
Peterson was released on a $4,000 bond later Friday morning and is scheduled to appear in court on May 9, 2025. If convicted of the fourth-degree DWI charge, he could face fines, probation, mandatory alcohol education programs, and possible license suspension. While this appears to be his first DWI offense, his prior legal history may complicate sentencing.
This incident adds yet another layer to the complex legacy of Peterson, whose remarkable on-field achievements continue to be overshadowed by off-field controversies. For the Vikings organization and its fans, the arrest of one of their most iconic players shortly after a celebratory event underscores the ongoing tension between honoring his contributions and addressing his personal struggles.
