Jordan Addison has been informed by Vikings brass that he better not make a mistake again on the level of the 140 mph reckless driving citation he received in the Twin Cities last week.
The rookie wide receiver was stopped by a Minnesota trooper on Interstate 94 in St. Paul after being clocked at 140 mph around 3 a.m. last Thursday, with the police report saying Addison claimed “his dog was having an emergency at his residence and that was the reason for his speed.”
“Both [Kwesi Adofo-Mensah] and myself have talked with him multiple times since,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Tuesday. “I was disappointed but it was a mistake and I think he’s owning that mistake and knows that’s something that can’t happen again.”
“He’s a rookie and you’d love to say that no mistakes like that are ever going to happen,” O’Connell continued, “but the big thing for me talking to Jordan was let’s learn from it, let’s make sure we’re moving forward the right way and I think he’s got a good perspective on owning it, taking responsibility but also moving forward the right way.”
As for the claim that he was rushing home for a dog emergency, O’Connell said the “why” is less important than learning from the error.
“We talked bout that. He mentioned [the dog story]. Really what I was focused on was more the making sure he knew exactly that it was a serious thing and he needs to make sure he understands what exactly he did wrong and then go back,” O’Connell said.
“The why behind things is important, but understanding, that no matter what the why might be, it can’t happen again. Regardless of whatever may have caused him to drive that fast, it’s just not something that can happen again.”
Addison, 21, has apologized, saying he “used poor judgement” and is “truly sorry.”
“I have 100% confidence in Jordan, that he’s obviously going to have a great camp, but I still feel very strongly about the person and player we added to our team,” O’Connell said.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah echoed O’Connell, saying “this kid was raised right” and that “we believe in Jordan and his future.”
"We believe in Jordan and his future." – GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pic.twitter.com/W7AXZk56uS
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 25, 2023
Addison will be a full participant in training camp, which begins in full on Wednesday.
