EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings rookie receiver Jordan Addison spoke to reporters for the first time since being cited for driving 140 mph on Interstate 94 last week in St. Paul, saying it was a poor decision that he intends to learn from.
Addison, a first-round pick by the Vikings, was pulled over after a Minnesota State Trooper clocked him driving 85 mph over the speed limit just after 3 a.m. Thursday, July 20. An updated copy of the citation revealed that Addison told the trooper he was speeding because of an emergency involving his dog.
While speaking with reporters Wednesday at training camp, Addison said he couldn't go into detail about the incident, but apologized and admitted he made a poor decision.
"I take full responsibility and full ownership of my actions last week," said Addison. "It's never a good thing when (Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell) or (Vikings GM) Kewsi (Adofo-Mensah) gotta answer questions or address questions about me off the field, so I just want to apologize to everyone for that."
Both O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah fielded questions about the young receiver on Tuesday.
"I was disappointed but it was a mistake," O'Connell said during Tuesday's media availability. "And I think he's obviously owning that mistake and knows that that's something that can't happen again."
"Jordan, through the (NFL Draft) process, impressed us with the type of person he is," said Adofo-Mensah. "Obviously he made a mistake, but what you see after the fact was — from his representatives to his family that reached out to me — this kid was raised right. He knows that he made a mistake and everybody in his life is aligned to make sure that this was a one-time occurrence."
When asked about any potential team punishment, Addison didn't elaborate on specific conversations. He said the staff was disappointed and upset, but added that he's also receiving plenty of support, including from one of the best pass-catchers in the league.
“We’re with him every step of the way,” said star receiver Justin Jefferson. “Just like when I came in, Adam (Thielen) was there that first week and took me under his wing and showed me the ropes and taught me how to be a professional. That’s that role that I’m planning for him."
Addison, the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner for best collegiate receiver, was selected No. 23 overall in April's NFL Draft. He is expected to compete for the No. 2 receiver slot after the Vikings cut ties with Thielen during the offseason. He did not take part in most of the team's spring workouts due to an unspecified injury, and the rookie declined to elaborate on the nature of that injury, but he practiced Wednesday with no restrictions.
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