Minnesota Vikings’ Everson Griffen arrested for assaulting a police officer
Everson Griffen, rookie defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings, was at the University of Southern California campus on Monday to visit players and coaches. On his way back, he was stopped at an intersection for unknown reasons and did not give Los Angeles
Police Department Officers any proper identification.
Officers say that when Griffen was questioned, he became agitated, trying to flee on foot from the scene after saying, “I ain’t goin’ back to jail.” Police then pursued Griffen, resulting in a struggle with the 275 pound, 6-foot-3 defensive end. Griffen
then allegedly grabbed one of the officers in the groin, after which he was subdued with a Taser stun gun.
23-year-old Griffen was then placed under arrest and booked with felony battery, according to Officer Norma Eisenman. He was released in the early hours of Tuesday on $50,000 bail, nearly nine and a half hours after being arrested, and is expected for a
hearing on February 25, 2011.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there were no formal charges made but the Los Angeles District Attorney told a local newspaper that the case had been handed over to the City Attorney’s Office, meaning that Griffen will most likely have to deal with a misdemeanour
instead of a felony. The District Attorney’s office decided not to file felony charges, since the player had no existing criminal record and that the officer that he allegedly attacked, was uninjured.
He had been cited two days earlier for being drunk in public, according to Eisenman.
National Football League and Vikings spokesmen said that they will be undergoing their own private investigations of the incident.
"We are aware of yesterday's alleged incident involving Everson Griffen," Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson said. "At this time, the team is gathering all the facts and will withhold any further comment."
Greg Aiello, spokesman for the NFL, said that they are currently investigating Griffen’s situation, and any violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy may result in a fine and/or suspension.
Representatives for Griffen did not return any messages about their client as of Tuesday.
Before being picked in the fourth round, 100th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Griffen had been a standout athlete at the University of Southern California. He became the first freshman to start a game for the University, since 1986.
He had been expected to be picked earlier in the draft but slipped down because of his inconsistent performances. The Vikings acknowledged his erratic playing, while drafting him.
"There were games when he was a first-round pick and there were games when he would disappear," director of college scouting Scott Studwell said after the draft. "But he's got great value where we took him, and I think he will blossom as a pro."
According to Studwell, the Vikings also did not have concerns about Griffen’s previous incidents. He had been arrested in 2009 for disturbing guests at a Fourth of July party on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. He and a teammate were cited, but the two
wrote a letter of apology and no charges were filed. "We are not worried about his character," Studwell said. "He has to grow up a little bit like they all do."
While talking to reporter, Griffen said, You learn from your mistakes, and that's how you become an adult."
After the draft, Griffen said that he had a good college life, but that it was time to move on to the professional league.
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