ESPN's Minnesota Vikings reporter Ben Goessling on Vikings' Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson's unusual arrest and game status for Sunday against the Detroit Lions

ESPN's Minnesota Vikings reproter Ben Goessling broke a story yesterday on the arrest of Minnesota Vikings' Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson. Tom Johnson was arrested on Sunday morning and charged with the misdemeanors of trespassing and disorderly conduct while having dinner at the Seven Steakhouse in Minnesota. The thirty year old Tom Johnson was then taken to the Hennepin County jail and was shortly released after posting a $78 bond. During the arrest, Tom Johnson was not only pepper sprayed but also hit with a taser gun by Minnesota Police. There has been a fair amount of protest to the events that transpired last Sunday night. This wasn't a case of a high profile NFL player acting rudely like that of Lesean McCoy's (Philadelphia Eagles star RB) twenty cent tip debacle/ social media war. Ben Goessling reveals in his article that Tom Johnson may have been a victim of possible police brutality or at the very least misconduct on behalf of police force which made the arrest.

The article goes on to explain that Tom Johnson was asked to leave during closing time at Seven Steakhouse around 2 A.M. on Sunday morning. All reports made thus far have clearly stated that Tom Johnson wasn't inebriated. Johnson was reportedly told, repetitively, to leave the restaurant. Johnson was at a booth waiting for the restaurant's valet service to bring his vehicle. Johnson inquired as to why other patrons of the restaurant were not asked to leave as well. Johnson was also unaware that he was required to be outside the establishment while waiting for his valet service. When Johnson refused to leave the establishment, an officer hit him with pepper spray. Afterwards, Johnson received a towel and water from security for his pepper-sprayed face; Johnson would also reach out to the security guard and gave money to thank him for his help. The Minnesota defensive lineman would take a picture of the officer who sprayed him and a video (believed to be from Johnson's cell phone) of the event. It was shortly after this time when one of the two off duty police officers began asking for Tom Johnson's identification. The police officer would then strike the cell phone out of the hand of Johnson (who was recording the event). When Johnson bent down to pick up the cell phone, the police officer would strike his arm and hand and then used a taser on the Vikings' DT.

Minnesota Viking Head Coach Mike Zimmer said that Tom Johnson would be on the field and playing for the Vikings game against the Detriot Lions on Sunday. Tom Johnson's lawyer, David Valentini made a statement about the event and possible actions to be taken in the near future:

"You saw the video he took...It sure doesn't seem like he was doing anything wrong. He's not raising his voice. There's nothing wrong with videotaping an officer."

Valentini also stated that he will deal with the criminal aspect of the case, before taking any legal actions against the Minnesota police. Johnson's agent, Bardia Ghahremani, made a statement claiming that the charges against Johnson were baseless. Additionally, Ghahremani stated legal action would be taken after the criminal charges against Tom Johnson were settled.

References:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11659403/minnesota-vikings-dt-tom-johnson-track-play-arrest

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11653143/police-used-stun-gun-minnesota-vikings-tom-johnson

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Tom Johnson: Jeffrey Beall