Minnesota Vikings rookie Jordan Addison pleads guilty to misdemeanor speeding charge
After being cited for reckless driving for going 140 miles per hour on I-94 in Minnesota in July, ESPN reports that Vikings rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison has agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor speeding charge.
The Vikings selected Addison with the No. 23 overall pick in this year’s 2023 NFL Draft, and as a part of the agreement, a second charge of reckless driving will be dismissed.
Following his incident in July, Addison said, “I made a mistake and used poor judgment. I recognize and own that. I am going to learn from this and not repeat the behavior. I am truly sorry.”
Addison has agreed to pay a total of $686 in fines and fees, and the plea will be presented for approval in a hearing in front of judge Maria Mitchell on September 19.
On July 20 at around 3:07 a.m. Addison was spotted by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper driving 140 miles per hour in his Lamborghini Urus on a 55-mile-per-hour zone of I-94 heading eastbound near Dale Street in Saint Paul according to incident data.
The citation report also revealed that Addison cited the reason for his speedy driving was to get home to his dog that was in an emergency situation.
“Driver stated his dog was having an emergency at his residence and that was the reason for his speed,” reads the citation. It also says he was “consciously disregarding a substantial or unjustifiable risk.”
Addison shouldn’t miss any time with the team this upcoming season as a result of his guilty plea, as he just recently returned to the team after being in concussion protocol. The former Biletnikoff Award winner recorded one catch for 22 yards in his lone preseason performance versus the Seattle Seahawks. And he’s expected to be a big part of Minnesota’s passing game this offseason alongside reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson.
Addison was a four-star prospect out of Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Maryland, where he was ranked the No. 43 wide receiver and No. 234 overall prospect of the 2020 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
He attended Pittsburgh out of high school, recording 60 catches for 666 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman before having a breakout year as a sophomore, securing a school record 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and a nation-leading 17 receiving touchdowns. He’d conclude his college career at USC, serving as Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams‘ top target with 59 catches for 875 yards and eight scores.