Vikes WR Addison pleads not guilty to DUI charges​

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison pleaded not guilty Tuesday to two misdemeanor DUI charges stemming from a July 12 arrest near Los Angeles International Airport, according to Superior Court of California online records. He has a pretrial conference hearing scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025.

Addison, 22, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with at least a .08% blood alcohol content after a West Los Angeles police officer found him asleep at the wheel of a white Rolls Royce that was blocking a lane of I-105 westbound near the airport. Speaking to reporters in Minnesota at the start of training camp, Addison said he was in a “dark place” following his arrest.

“I was feeling down, and [teammates] really uplifted me to come out here and just perform at a high level still,” Addison said at the time. “So through everything that’s going on, I’m going to put it behind me and I’m still going to perform at a high level, come out here give the fans what they pay for.”

Addison suffered an ankle injury during Week 1 and missed two games. He broke out in Week 12, catching eight passes for a career-high 162 yards against the Chicago Bears, and now ranks second on the team with 36 catches and 575 yards and five total touchdowns.

Addison could face an NFL suspension once the legal proceedings are complete. Regarding violations of the law involving alcohol, the league’s policy and program on substances of abuse reads: “Absent aggravating circumstances, discipline for a first offense will be a suspension without pay of three regular or postseason games.”

He was not available for comment Tuesday. Asked about the potential of discipline this summer, Addison said: “Whatever’s out there for me, whatever comes with it, I’ll own up to everything. I feel like anything that comes my way is meant to happen or is deserved.”

The incident occurred nearly a year after Addison was cited for driving 140 mph on a Minnesota freeway in July 2023. He subsequently agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor speeding charge, with a charge of reckless driving dismissed. He paid $686 in fines.