Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen has found himself in the headlines again, this time due to an incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight. The former NFL star was reportedly removed from a flight traveling from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Minneapolis for what has been described as “unruly behavior.”
Reports indicate that shortly after departing, the flight had to make an unscheduled return to Chicago. An eyewitness on the plane shared that Griffen appeared to be attempting to smoke something in the aircraft’s lavatory, prompting flight attendants to intervene. This confrontation led to Griffen’s removal from the flight, with images of him gathering his belongings before exiting making their way online.
While no official word has emerged regarding potential criminal charges or formal investigations tied to this latest incident, the situation adds to a list of past legal issues for Griffen. Known for his prowess on the field, Griffen carved out an impressive career with the Vikings, tallying 85.5 sacks, 20 pass deflections, and forcing ten fumbles over the span of his career. His standout season came in 2017 when he was pivotal in helping the Vikings reach the NFC Championship Game.
Yet, Griffen’s life off the field has been marred by legal troubles. Back in January 2011, he was arrested twice within a week — once for public intoxication and another time involving an altercation with a police officer. More recently, Griffen had run-ins with the law for driving under the influence; once in July 2023 and again ten months later, which resulted in a temporary revocation of his driving license after a plea deal.
As more details emerge about the latest Delta Air Lines incident, Griffen’s past legal history and current off-field incidents continue to be as much a part of his story as his formidable NFL career. The ongoing developments will certainly shed more light on the situation, as authorities decide on their next steps.
