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WINONA, Minn. (WKBT) — A former Vikings defensive end was arrested Thursday night, according to the Winona Police Department.

38-year-old Everson Griffen was pulled over in a Cadillac Escalade on Riverview Drive around 8:12 p.m. for going 62 mph in a 40-mph zone. He was arrested for Driving in Violation of a Restricted License-Ignition Interlock Violation, which is a Gross Misdemeanor in the state of Minnesota. 

Griffen was not charged with speeding. 

Griffen played 11 of his 12 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he was a dominant edge rusher and earned four Pro Bowl selections. While playing for the Vikings, Griffen earned 85.5 career sacks before briefly playing for the Cowboys and Lions. He retired after the 2021 season with the Minnesota Vikings. 

According to court records, Griffen was arrested and convicted of 3rd Degree Driving While Intoxicated in May 2024, which required him to have an ignition interlock device in his vehicle. He also has several previous driving violations. 

​COPYRIGHT 2026 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.