Former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson was arrested Sunday morning in Sugar Land, Texas, on charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawful carrying of a weapon, marking his second such arrest in seven months.
Peterson, 40, was taken into custody by Sugar Land police at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to reports from CNN affiliate KHOU. The arrest occurred in a Houston suburb, where Peterson has lived and was a star high school football player in East Texas. Jail records confirm the charges, which include driving while intoxicated and unlawful carrying of a weapon, with no immediate details on the circumstances leading to the arrest.
This incident follows a previous DWI arrest in April 2025, when Peterson was booked in Minneapolis after being pulled over for speeding. That arrest happened shortly after he attended an NFL draft event for Minnesota Vikings fans, indicating a recurring issue with impaired driving. The similarity in charges within a short span raises questions about Peterson’s behavior post-retirement from professional football.
Adrian Peterson is renowned as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, having played 15 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings, who drafted him seventh overall in 2007. He earned league MVP honors in 2012 after rushing for 2,097 yards, a feat achieved by only nine players in league history. Over his career, he accumulated 14,918 rushing yards and 120 touchdowns, playing for six teams in his final five seasons before retiring.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Peterson has faced legal challenges, including a 2014 suspension by the NFL after being charged with felony child abuse for excessively disciplining his son. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault and was reinstated the following year, but the current arrests add to his off-field controversies and could tarnish his legacy.
As of now, no additional information has been released about the Texas arrest, and it is unknown if Peterson has secured legal representation. Police have not provided further details, and reports indicate that inquiries are ongoing. The lack of immediate updates leaves many aspects of the case unresolved.
The recurrence of DWI charges highlights potential ongoing issues and could lead to stricter legal consequences given his prior record. This arrest may affect Peterson’s public image and any future engagements in sports, as authorities move forward with proceedings that could result in fines, license suspension, or other penalties.