Vikings’ Addison, contrite and remorseful after DUI arrest, finds respite at start of camp
EAGAN, Minnesota — Jordan Addison has enjoyed the start of training camp as much as anyone Minnesota Vikingsfinding a sunny space to devote a few hours to his non-football related stress.
Addison, after leaving the field following the team’s first full practice Wednesday afternoon, said his attorney and agent advised him not to discuss the specific details of his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. earlier this month in California.
The second-year receiver, however, expressed plenty of contrition, humility and remorse in an interview with a group of reporters that lasted much longer than a player’s typical comments to the media after off-field issues.
“This is probably the most peace I’ve felt, just being here with my teammates. They’ve welcomed me with open arms. They’ve been around me the whole time, through the whole situation, so I’m just really blessed to be here right now,” Addison, 22, said, adding, “They know my character. They know my heart. So I come here every day and show them that I’m going to move past this and I’m going to continue to learn.”
About a year ago, just before his first training camp, Addison was cited for speeding in Minnesota. Once his latest case is resolved in court, he could well receive a suspension from the NFL under the player conduct policy, but that may not happen this season.
“I’m going to stand tall in the face of whatever discipline comes my way, I’m going to face it, I’m going to get through it and I’m going to fight back,” Addison said. “No matter what comes my way, I’m going to stand tall and accept whatever comes my way. I’m going to own up to it and I feel like whatever comes my way is meant to be or is deserved, so I’m going to do what I have to do.”
When news of his arrest broke on July 12, Addison had difficult conversations with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and others around the club.
“Of course we’re disappointed in Jordan,” O’Connell said earlier this week. “We care about these players, we really do, and we want to make sure we’re doing our part to develop them on the court. The other side of it is on the court and life skills, development, decision-making and learning the importance of our culture, which we’re very proud of, for our players to understand personal responsibility and accountability at this point.”
Addison said he was surprised by the level of support he felt.
“I didn’t think it was going to happen like this. It was really important, because I was in a dark place and I was feeling down, but they really encouraged me to come out here and perform at a high level,” Addison said, adding, “I’m just going to keep learning. That’s all I can do. I just learn from my mistakes and keep moving forward.”
Receiver’s Companion Justin Jefferson constitutes an important part of this support.
“I know Jordan still has things to learn,” Jefferson said. “I’m his big brother, teaching him different things about how to run his business.”
The smile Christian Darrisaw brought to a rare podium appearance before practice stood in stark contrast to the solemnity of Addison’s extended apology.
The budding left tackle signed a contract on Wednesday four-year contract extension Darrisaw was worth $113 million with two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, which had been agreed to the day before while he was in an offensive line meeting. Darrisaw’s father broke the news to him via text message.
Measuring his contract by average annual value ($28.25 million), he is the richest of all time for a NFL offensive lineman, although by the time the extension actually kicks in for 2026, that figure will likely have been exceeded several times over.
“Being one of the best in the business, you just wanted to be valued for your position while you could, and we took the opportunity and Minnesota made that happen,” Darrisaw said.
The soft-spoken 2021 first-round pick has excelled in pass protection and been a reliable run blocker. He’s now being given a bigger leadership role.
“I have to push myself a little harder because I usually let my game do the talking and stay out of the way,” Darrisaw said. “So I have to express myself more to the guys. I know they all look up to me and they’re looking for my input, and I know I can get input from everybody.”
The only obvious downside to the first drive, in which new quarterback Sam Darnold easily connected with Jefferson on several deep passes, was an apparent injury to cornerback Mekhi Blackmon during a full-team drill. He left the field and did not return.
Blackmon was supposed to play with Rookie Khyree Jacksona painful absence for the Vikings just three weeks after he was killed along with two friends in a car crash in Maryland.
The Vikings had Jackson’s initials painted on a purple circular logo behind the end zone of their most frequently used practice field.
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