Adrian Peterson, a legendary figure in Minnesota Vikings history, has reportedly found himself in legal trouble once again. According to recent reports, Peterson was arrested for driving under the influence for the second time in just six months.
The former NFL MVP, now 40 years old, was taken into custody on Sunday morning in Sugar Land, Texas. As reported by TMZ, he faces charges for two counts of DWI and an additional charge for unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Though Peterson is originally from Palestine, Texas—a small town located roughly three hours north of Sugar Land—it remains unclear why he was in that particular area at the time of his arrest.
This incident adds to Peterson’s legal woes, marking his second DWI-related arrest this year. Earlier in April, he was detained following the Minnesota Vikings’ Draft party. During that incident, Peterson was stopped by law enforcement at 3:20 a.m., after the first round of the NFL Draft on April 24.
The arresting officer alleged that Peterson was speeding nearly 30 mph over the legal limit. When subjected to a breathalyzer test, Peterson reportedly registered a blood alcohol level of .14, well above the legal limit.
Peterson reportedly blew a blood alcohol content of .14 when he was breathalyzed.
Minnesota Vikings legend Adrian Peterson was reportedly arrested for a second time this year
Peterson was also arrested back in April for DWI while driving 83mph in a 55 mph zone
Just two months later in June, footage emerged capturing Peterson getting into a fist fight during a poker game in Houston, Texas.
The video, obtained by TMZ , shows the 40-year-old Peterson squaring up with a fellow poker player over a hand at the JokerStars social club back on May 27.
Peterson told TMZ that he and a friend were involved in a disagreement while at a table.
Eventually, ‘one thing led to another’ and the pair raised their fists at each other.
Video shows Peterson and his buddy throwing punches for several seconds, despite one person trying to separate them.
The former running back ate a number of punches to the face at the beginning of the scrap, but he eventually got back at his counterpart with some haymakers.
TMZ says that bloody wounds were visible on the faces of both people involved. However, Peterson claims his injury came from falling into a chair rather than a punch.
While alcohol was involved, Peterson told the outlet that wasn’t the only reason the situation escalated.
The former running back was caught fighting with another person over a poker game in May
‘Me and the guy, we’re cool,’ Peterson said. ‘We’ve known each other. It was literally like a brother situation. We agreed to disagree, we had our words, and we threw blows — and that was it.’
Peterson added: ‘I felt really bad. It’s a situation where I kind of regret it.’
The outlet says that police were not called and are not investigating. The club did not punish either person involved.
Considered one of the greatest NFL running backs of all-time, Peterson was a seven-time Pro Bowler while in Minnesota.
He made history in 2012 as he rushed for 2,097 yards – the second-highest mark of all-time in a single season.
Peterson would later suit up for the likes of the Saints, Cardinals, Commanders, Lions, Titans and Seahawks, and last played in the 2021 season.
Considered one of the greatest NFL running backs, Peterson was a seven-time Pro Bowler
He has faced numerous off-field legal troubles both during and after his career.
In 2014, Peterson pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of recklessly assaulting his son after using a tree branch – known as a ‘switch’ to beat him on his back, buttocks, genitals, ankles, and legs as a punishment. Peterson was punished in a similar manner in his own childhood.
The running back was put on probation and fined $4,000 while avoiding a jail sentence. The NFL placed him on unpaid suspension until spring 2015.
In February 2022, he was arrested by the LAPD for a domestic violence incident with his wife on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. After posting bond, his wife said that he did not put his hands on her – rather they had a verbal argument. The charges were dropped.
