Former Vikings Star Adrian Peterson Arrested for DWI After NFL Draft Party Appearance

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was arrested early Friday morning, April 25, 2025, on suspicion of driving while impaired (DWI) in Hennepin County, Minnesota, just hours after attending the Vikings’ NFL draft party at U.S. Bank Stadium. The 40-year-old NFL legend faces a fourth-degree DWI charge, a misdemeanor, following his arrest by the Minnesota State Patrol.

According to Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office records, Peterson was pulled over at approximately 3:20 a.m. in Richfield, a Minneapolis suburb, after a state trooper observed him driving an Audi Q5 at 83 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper suspected impairment, and a breath test administered at the scene reportedly showed Peterson’s blood-alcohol concentration at 0.14, nearly twice Minnesota’s legal limit of 0.08. Peterson was booked into Hennepin County Jail at 5:16 a.m. and released on a $4,000 bond by 7:31 a.m. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 9, 2025.

Peterson, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2012 NFL MVP, had been a prominent guest at the Vikings’ draft party on Thursday night, where he appeared on stage with a local radio station, KFAN, engaging with fans and discussing the team’s draft activities. The event, held to celebrate the NFL draft’s first round, drew significant attention as the Vikings selected Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson at No. 24. Peterson’s arrest has cast a shadow over his celebrated return to the Twin Cities, where he remains the franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 11,747 yards over a 10-year tenure.

This incident adds to Peterson’s history of legal troubles. In 2014, he faced felony charges for child abuse after disciplining his four-year-old son, resulting in a no-contest plea and NFL suspension. In 2022, he was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for an alleged domestic violence incident involving his wife, though the matter was resolved without charges after counseling. More recently, Peterson has faced financial and legal challenges in Texas, including warrants for failing to appear in court for child support cases in December 2024, which were resolved in February 2025, and a $12 million debt stemming from a defaulted 2016 loan.

The Vikings organization has not issued a statement regarding Peterson’s arrest, and further details from the Minnesota State Patrol are pending. The fourth-degree DWI charge, typically applied to first-time offenders with a blood-alcohol level below 0.16, carries potential penalties of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, though first-time offenders often face lighter consequences such as fines or probation.

Peterson’s career, marked by 14,918 rushing yards—fifth in NFL history—and a record-setting 296-yard single-game performance in 2007, has cemented his status as one of football’s greatest running backs. However, recurring off-field issues continue to complicate his legacy. Neither Peterson nor his representatives have commented publicly on the arrest.

Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, TMZ, USA Today, Twin Cities Pioneer Press

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