Minneapolis — Adrian Peterson, the former NFL running back whose bruising runs once lit up U.S. Bank Stadium, found himself in handcuffs on April 25, booked into Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of driving while impaired. The arrest, a sharp detour from his gridiron glory, came just hours after he mingled with fans at the Minnesota Vikings’ draft party, a glitzy event celebrating the team’s future.
Peterson, 40, was behind the wheel of an Audi Q5, clocked at 83 mph in a 55-mph zone, when a state trooper pulled him over at 3:20 a.m. The officer, noting signs of intoxication, arrested the ex-Viking after a field sobriety test. By 5:16 a.m., Peterson was processed at the county jail, charged with fourth-degree DWI, a misdemeanor in Minnesota. He posted bond and was released later that morning, free but facing a legal tangle that could bruise his reputation as hard as any linebacker ever did.
The Vikings’ draft party, held the previous night, drew hundreds to the stadium’s neon-lit concourses. Peterson, a franchise legend who rushed for 11,747 yards in a purple jersey, was a star attraction, shaking hands and posing for photos. Few could’ve guessed that hours later, he’d be in a squad car, his name splashed across police logs instead of highlight reels.
Minnesota law defines fourth-degree DWI as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, or while under the influence of alcohol to a degree that impairs driving. If convicted, Peterson could face up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, though first-time offenders often see lighter penalties like probation or community service. Court records show no hearing date yet, but the case is logged in Hennepin County’s district court system.
Peterson’s NFL career, a 15-year sprint through defenses, included seven Pro Bowl nods and the 2012 MVP award. He last played in 2021, a brief stint with the Seahawks. Since retiring, he’s stayed visible, dabbling in media and charity work, but this arrest marks his latest off-field stumble. In 2014, he faced child abuse charges in Texas, a case that sparked fierce debate and led to an NFL suspension. He later returned to the field, but the shadow lingered.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Peterson’s booking and release in public records. The Minnesota State Patrol, which made the arrest, provided details of the traffic stop in an official report. No statements from Peterson or his representatives were available as of April 25. The Vikings, contacted by reporters, declined to comment on their former star’s legal woes.
Peterson’s next steps will unfold in a courtroom, not a stadium. For now, the man who once dodged tacklers with ease faces a charge that’s harder to shake.