Jerome Simpson, A.J. Jefferson, and Erin Henderson have all been arrested in the past three weeks.
Jefferson was released by the Vikings Monday and charged two days later with domestic assault, while Henderson’s Nov. 19 arrest became public Wednesday.
Off-field issues are getting more attention than the ones on the field, and the continuing law troubles are not sitting well with general manager Rick Spielman, who spoke today about the ongoing issues with the club’s inability to stay out of trouble.
“The fact that we have had three recent off field situations is unacceptable and disappointing. Our organization looks at each situation and the circumstances involved to determine our actions with those players and how to best move forward.
The Vikings have a comprehensive approach with our player development program and excellent resources that are a part of this organization, but certainly we will take a methodical look at how we can improve upon our current programs to prevent these situations in the future.”
Leslie Frazier waited until after Spielman spoke to address the situation surrounding the team, here’s his reaction according to Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune who had all of Frazier’s comments here.
“We’re taking a real hard look at what we’re doing. We went through an entire offseason and up until just a few days ago this season without incidents anytime something like this happens. It’s something that we’ll deal with and, as the statement says, methodically take a look at what we’re doing and how we’re doing it and try to get things better for the future. For me to try to answer questions regarding Erin or a couple days ago we talked about one other player who had gotten involved in an incident, I kept referring to the fact that it just wouldn’t be wise for me to go into any detail about that situation. And really it’s not any different here with Erin’s situation. I mentioned last week that he was dealing with a personal matter and that was absolutely the truth. There are some things I can’t talk about involving that situation. For myself and the rest of our team and our coaching staff, our focus has to be on the Chicago bears and whatever discipline is necessary or will have to be taken regarding Erin and those things will take of themselves.
“Whatever happens with guys that have had incidents in the past or potentially guys in the future, those incidents will be dealt with on a case by case basis. For me and the rest of our team, the focus is on getting a win on Sunday. That’s the bottom line. I can’t look back at that incident or speculate on any future incidents. The only thing I can concentrate on – and we talked about this in our team meeting this morning – is the Chicago Bears. That’s why we’re in this building, to find a way to get a win on Sunday in front of our fans at home. That’s all that really matters. Those other things, they’re going to be taken care of in the fashion that they need to be taken care of.”
Henderson apologized to the team today, saying the situation was “eye-opening.”
He is expected to play at the Metrodome Sunday against Chicago, but likely not start the contest.
