Former Minnesota Vikings star Everson Griffen is back in the headlines, but this time it has nothing to do with football. The four-time Pro Bowler was arrested in Minnesota after police said he drove a vehicle that did not meet the restrictions tied to his driver’s license. While the arrest raised fresh questions because of his past legal issues, authorities have not accused Griffen of driving under the influence in this case.
Everson Griffen says arrest had nothing to do with drinking
According to a criminal complaint filed in Winona County, police stopped Everson Griffen at around 8 p.m. on July 23 after allegedly clocking his vehicle at 62 mph in a 40 mph zone on Riverview Drive in Winona, Minnesota. During the traffic stop, officers discovered that Griffen was driving a vehicle that allegedly did not have the ignition interlock device required under the terms of his restricted driver’s license.
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An ignition interlock device requires a driver to provide a clean breath sample before a vehicle can start. Court records show Griffen’s driving privileges remain subject to that condition. Because the vehicle did not have the required system installed, officers arrested him on suspicion of violating his license restrictions. Prosecutors later charged him with a gross misdemeanor. He was released after posting bond and is scheduled to appear remotely in Winona County District Court on August 28.Soon after news of the arrest became public, Everson Griffen responded through a post on his Instagram account. He insisted the situation was an administrative issue and not a relapse.“Nothing happened when I got pulled over last night. My license was revoked because I forgot to complete the required class/test, and I just moved, so I was planning to take care of both the class and the address change on Monday. I wasn’t drinking, wasn’t smoking, and wasn’t doing anything wrong. Everything is fine.”Everson Griffen shared that statement on Instagram shortly after his arrest. The criminal complaint adds another detail. According to court documents, an officer asked Griffen whether the required ignition interlock system was installed in the vehicle. The complaint says Griffen replied that he had taken the test to regain his license but failed it. A supervising officer then checked state records and confirmed that his license still carried the ignition interlock restriction.That point matters because the current case does not accuse Griffen of driving while impaired. Instead, it focuses on whether he violated the conditions attached to his restricted license. The arrest comes after a difficult stretch away from football. Griffen has spoken openly in recent months about rebuilding his life and recently said he was approaching one year of sobriety. He has also faced previous driving-related legal issues, including an impaired-driving conviction that led to the license restrictions. Local reports also said he received a citation in August 2025 after allegedly driving 130 mph in a 60 mph zone.Despite those off-field struggles, Griffen remains one of the most accomplished defensive players in Minnesota Vikings history. The Vikings selected him in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and he spent 11 of his 12 NFL seasons with the franchise. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and finished his career with 88.5 sacks, including 85.5 with Minnesota.Now, the focus shifts to the courtroom. Griffen’s Aug. 28 hearing will determine the next step in the case, while the former Vikings star continues to maintain that his arrest should not be mistaken for another alcohol-related incident.