MINNEAPOLIS — A former Minnesota Vikings defensive end was charged Thursday with driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine possession after a Tuesday night arrest in Minneapolis.
Everson De Wayne Griffen, 36, of Mound, was pulled over at 11:35 p.m. going southbound on I-35W near Lake Street in Miat 50th Street.
According to the criminal complaint, the former All-Pro defensive lineman was going 82 mph in a 55 mph zone. The state trooper who pulled Everson over asked him if he was heading home and he told the trooper he was headed to Mystic Lake Casino.
The trooper said Everson had two passengers in the car and he smelled "an alcoholic beverage coming from inside." The trooper also said Everson had watery eyes. Everson was asked when he last had an alcoholic drink and he said around 1 p.m.
During the field sobriety test, the trooper said Everson showed signs of impairment.
Authorities say his preliminary blood alcohol concentration was 0.10 when he blew into the breathalyzer and he was arrested for DWI.
The trooper "located a small plastic vile with a small amount of white powder in his back right pants pocket, which appeared to be cocaine," according to the complaint. Authorities field-tested the white powder, which weighed approximately .02 grams, and it "tested positive for the presence of cocaine."
This is the second time in the past year that Griffen has been arrested on suspicion of DWI. Last July, Griffen was charged with fourth-degree DWI after he was pulled over in Chanhassen.
Griffen spent 11 seasons with the Vikings and played in four Pro Bowls. He's been an advocate for mental health since posting on Instagram in December of 2021 that he had bipolar disorder.
RELATED: 'It's true I am bipolar': Vikings DE Everson Griffen says he'll be an 'advocate for mental health'
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