A newly hired defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings has been suspended by the team for three weeks without pay following his guilty plea to a DWI charge stemming from an incident back in April.
Gerald Alexander was arrested and charged with DWI after Edina police found him passed out behind the wheel of his Testa at 4:01 a.m. on April 26. Authorities were eventually able to wake Alexander and get him to exit the vehicle. He attempted to perform field sobriety tests, but his “balance was so poor that the one-leg stand test was stopped” to prevent him from falling. He eventually submitted to a preliminary breath test, which showed that he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.169, more than double the legal driving limit. He refused an official breath test at the Edina police station after he was arrested.
He later pleaded guilty to a third-degree DWI charge on July 16. As part of the plea deal, Alexander will:
- Pay a $500 fine
- Perform community service
- Remain on probation for two years
“I take full responsibility for the situation I put myself in and apologize for not meeting the mark,” Alexander said in a statement released by the team. “I know it’s unacceptable. I understand the suspension and am committed to learning from the matter and ensuring I come back a better version of myself.”
His suspension from the team began on July 23 and will conclude on August 13.
“Following Gerald’s arrest earlier this spring, we remained in communication with the NFL while awaiting the outcome of the legal process,” the team said in a statement. “We take these situations seriously and believe this disciplinary action is appropriate.”
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell said that he expects better from his staff.
“Disappointed is the word,” O’Connell said at his pre-training camp news conference. “He knows he needs to make better decisions moving forward. He’s a valued member of my staff.”
Alexander could have faced much stiffer penalties for his actions. A third degree DWI is considered a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota, which is punishable by fines up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail. The courts tend to be a little more lenient when someone charged with a third degree DWI does not have a previous drunk driving conviction on the record, but the court can still come down harshly on someone operating with such an elevated BAC. It appears that Alexander worked with a wise legal team who was able to help him navigate the serious situation.
If you or someone you know ends up in a similar situation, know that you’ll want a legal professional in your corner. In the greater Twin Cities area, we’l hope you’ll connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm. Give our team a call day or night at (952) 224-2277.
