Ex-Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowler Arrested In The Twin Cities, Faces Charges

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Everson Griffen, a former Minnesota Vikings defensive end and four-time Pro Bowler, is facing two separate misdemeanor cases filed Wednesday in Hennepin County, according to court records.

The first case stems from an alleged offense in Minnetrista on Aug. 25.

Griffen is charged with violating a harassment or restraining order, a misdemeanor, court records show.

A warrant for Griffen's arrest was issued Wednesday morning and served that afternoon.

A judge set conditions for his release, including a $2,000 cash bail option or release on conditions that bar contact with the victim, require him to stay away from the victim's residence, impose geographic restrictions, and prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

His next hearing in that case is scheduled for Sept. 29.

The second case involves a charge of failing to comply with a peace officer, a misdemeanor, stemming from an incident Wednesday in downtown Minneapolis

Griffen was released without bail or conditions, but records show he initially refused to appear for his scheduled court date.

In response, a Hennepin County judge signed a reasonable force order directing the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to use reasonable force as necessary to bring him to court, after deputies reported he did not appear to be ill or otherwise unable to attend. His next hearing in that case is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Griffen was arraigned in both cases Wednesday at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis.

Wednesday's arrests add to a string of legal trouble for Griffen in recent years, including a DWI and cocaine possession arrest in 2024 and an arrest last month in Winona for allegedly driving without a required ignition interlock device after a speeding stop.

Griffen, drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round in 2010 out of USC, spent the bulk of his 12-year NFL career in Minnesota, recording the majority of his 85.5 career sacks with the team.

He earned four Pro Bowl selections and was named a second-team All-Pro. He also had brief stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions in 2020 before returning to the Vikings in 2021, his final NFL season. Griffen has said publicly in recent weeks that he hopes to return to the NFL in 2026.