MINNEAPOLIS, April 25, 2025 — Former NFL superstar Adrian Peterson, once hailed as one of the greatest running backs in football history, has found himself back in the headlines—this time, not for his athletic feats, but for legal troubles.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Peterson was arrested in Richfield, Minnesota, on a charge of fourth-degree driving while impaired (DWI). According to law enforcement reports, the 40-year-old was stopped around 3:20 a.m. while driving an Audi Q5 at 83 mph in a 55-mph zone. Four passengers were reportedly in the vehicle at the time.
The incident occurred shortly after Peterson attended the Minnesota Vikings’ NFL Draft party at U.S. Bank Stadium. Police administered a preliminary breathalyzer test, which revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.14%—nearly double the legal limit of 0.08% in Minnesota.
Peterson was booked into Hennepin County Jail at 5:16 a.m. and released approximately two hours later after posting a $4,000 bond. He is expected to appear in court on May 9 in Minneapolis.
This latest arrest adds to a string of personal and legal challenges for Peterson in recent years. In 2014, he made national headlines after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of recklessly assaulting his then-4-year-old son, an incident that sparked widespread public scrutiny and a suspension from the NFL.
More recently, Peterson has been entangled in serious financial difficulties. In 2024, a judge ordered him to turn over assets to help satisfy a staggering $12 million debt. The debt stemmed from defaulted business loans, and his representatives have since claimed that Peterson was misled by financial advisors.
Despite the controversies off the field, Peterson’s athletic legacy remains impressive. Over a 15-year NFL career, he earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in 2012. He retired in 2021, finishing as the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history with 14,918 yards and 120 touchdowns. He is eligible for Hall of Fame induction in 2027.
As he awaits his court date, many fans and analysts are left wondering how this latest incident might affect Peterson’s legacy—both as an athlete and as a public figure. The coming months could prove pivotal not just for his legal standing, but also for how he will be remembered in the annals of sports history.