Adrian Peterson Arrested for DWI and Weapon Charges in Texas

Former NFL running back Adrian Peterson was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawfully carrying a weapon after police discovered him asleep behind the wheel of his SUV. The incident occurred at a gas station in Sugar Land, Texas, near Houston, around 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

According to court records, Peterson was found with his vehicle running and parked next to a gas pump. No one else was present in the vehicle. A probable cause affidavit detailed the interactions between Peterson and the responding officer. The officer noted the smell of alcohol, observed Peterson’s bloodshot eyes, and detected slurred speech. When questioned about his whereabouts, Peterson mentioned he had just come from a poker game in Houston and indicated he was trying to reach his home in nearby Missouri City.

During the encounter, Peterson admitted to consuming two to three shots of a vodka mix several hours prior. When asked to rate his level of intoxication on a scale from 0 to 10, he rated himself a 2, according to the affidavit. Despite this self-assessment, a field sobriety test indicated difficulty with balance, requiring him to use his arms for support.

The situation escalated when the officer searched Peterson’s SUV and discovered a Glock handgun in the glove compartment. This incident marks the second DWI arrest for Peterson in just seven months. He was previously arrested on similar charges in April 2023 after attending an NFL draft party in Minneapolis.

Peterson, who turned 40 years old in March 2024, posted a bond totaling $3,000 and was released from the Fort Bend County Jail the following day. As of now, court records do not indicate an attorney representing him.

Once a celebrated athlete, Peterson was a high school football star in East Texas and later played for the University of Oklahoma. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as the seventh overall pick in 2007, where he spent the first ten years of his NFL career. Over his 15-season tenure, he rushed for 14,918 yards and scored 120 touchdowns, making him one of only nine running backs to achieve over 2,000 rushing yards in a single season, notably reaching 2,097 yards during his MVP season in 2012.

This incident has raised concerns regarding Peterson’s behavior off the field, especially given his previous legal troubles. His future in the sport and public image may be significantly impacted as the legal proceedings unfold.