A comprehensive look at the crimes committed by NFL players since 2000 reveals that drunk driving is the most commonly committed crime.
Last week we touched on the fact that your very own Minnesota Vikings have been the most arrested team since 2004, but now we’re taking a look at which crimes are most commonly committed. According to USA Today, more than a quarter of all NFL player arrests are for driving under the influence. 202 of the 713 reported arrests since 2000 have been for drunk driving.
Here are some more statistics from the USA Today database:
- The second most common crime is assault and battery. 88 of the 713 arrests – 12.3 percent – have been for assault or battery.
- Domestic violence crimes are the third most popular crime. 85 of the 713 arrests – 11.9 percent – were for situations of domestic violence.
- Despite recent events, on average, only 1 in 40 players are arrested in a given year.
- The arrest rate for NFL players is far lower than the national arrest rate for 25-29-year-old males.
- 38 players have been arrested so far this year. 57 players were arrested in 2013.
- 67 players were arrested in 2006, the most in a given year.
Vikings players hold the dubious distinction of being arrested the most since 2004. 44 players have been arrested since then, which is double the league average of 22 arrests since 2000.
Related source: NY Daily News, USA Today
