 Simpson |
Jerome Simpson's NFL career took another twist with his early Saturday arrest on an alcohol-related driving charge. Simpson is the Minnesota Vikings' leader in receiving yards.
Simpson, 27, was in the Twin Cities area's Hennepin County jail on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The Vikings issues a statement saying they were "aware of the matter involving Jerome Simpson" and were "continuing to gather information and will have further comment at the appropriate time."
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a trooper responded to a report of a stalled vehicle in the lane on I-394 heading west out of downtown Minneapolis. As Simpson got out of a red Dodge Charger, the trooper observed him with watery eyes and slightly slurred speech. Simpson said he was at the Pour House, a popular bar nearby, but denied that he'd been drinking.
After Simpson took field sobriety tests, according to the State Patrol report, he was arrested at 4:03 a.m. local time. Simpson was booked about an hour and a half later at the Hennepin County jail, where he refused to take a breath test.
The Vikings played Thursday, defeating the Washington Redskins. Players were given three days off from practice following Thursday's game. They next play Nov. 17, visiting the Seattle Seahawks.
Simpson is on his second one-year contract with the team after playing his first three NFL seasons in Cincinnati.
This incident is a disturbing turn for Simpson, who had legal problems before coming to the team. He was suspended the first three games of his Vikings tenure for violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
League spokesman Randall Liu said Saturday that Simpson's case will be reviewed.
A 2011 arrest while with the Cincinnati Bengals led to Simpson being sentenced in 2012 to 15 days in jail, 200 hours of community services and three years of probation. Police discovered more than eight pounds of marijuana at or on its way to his Kentucky residence, the Pioneer Press noted.
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Reports on Saturday's arrest indicate Simpson refused a blood-alcohol breath test.
It was unclear how Saturday's arrest might affect Simpson's standing with the NFL or his probation from the marijuana case, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Simpson was being held without bail, according to the publication. There is a 36-hour window on the time Simpson can be held, and reports said that doesn't include Sunday and Monday.
Simpson has yet to score a touchdown in 21 regular-season games with the Vikings. His productivity is the primary reason coaches have cited for their minimal use of first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson.
Patterson, who had his first career scoring reception in the 34-27 victory over the Redskins, plays the same split end spot as Simpson.
Contributing: Associated Press