Receiver Jordan Addison of the Minnesota Vikings had a bittersweet Sunday. He began on the bench as punishment for missing a practice, but ended up being key in his team’s victory over the Cleveland Browns. Addison was suspended for the first quarter of the game. However, in the final moments of the match, the player redeemed himself, achieving a catch in each of the last three offensive plays of the Vikings, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown that secured the 21-17 victory.
In the three quarters he played, Addison caught five passes for 41 yards. This touchdown allowed the Vikings to close out their two-game trip in ten days with a 1-1 record, following the 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin the previous week. Coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that Addison missed one of the team’s practices at Hanbury Manor, where the Vikings stayed during the week. The coach explained that Addison then spoke to his teammates in a meeting. Addison wasn’t sure of the severity of the punishment. When asked if he feared being excluded for the entire match, he answered affirmatively. Finally, O’Connell lifted the penalty at the start of the second quarter. Addison missed two offensive possessions and a total of 14 offensive plays.I never want to disappoint my teammates. They are always there for me. So I will make sure to always be there for them. When they needed me, I was there.
Jordan Addison
That kind of thing isn’t in line with our standards. I wanted to make sure he was held accountable for that, but at the same time he knows it. I think he handled it professionally. He spoke to the team to let them know that when he was given the opportunity to get into the game, they could count on him. And he made the winning catch.
Kevin O’Connell
Addison, who was selected in the number 23 spot of the 2023 NFL draft, has had some off-field issues. In July 2023, he was cited for driving at 140 mph on a highway. In addition, he was suspended for the first three games of this season due to an incident in which he was found asleep at the wheel of his car near Los Angeles International Airport. Addison pleaded “no contest” to reckless driving related to alcohol and was placed on probation for 12 months, paying a fine of $390 and having to complete two online courses. Despite setbacks, Addison has proven his worth on the field, accumulating 142 receptions for 1,941 yards and 20 touchdowns in 34 career games. Tight end T.J. Hockenson highlighted the team’s unity and the respect they have for Addison, both as a player and a person.It’s a difficult situation. I definitely spoke with JA. But in the end, it’s all about growing and being part of the team, and knowing that you make mistakes and knowing that he’s a valuable part of the team. It’s more about the team and us in general, not focusing individually on JA. But for him to come out with that and still be able to make plays out there, and to finish the game with a touchdown to put us ahead, it was like it was meant to happen.
Justin Jefferson
Hockenson was also surprised by how easily Addison got open for the touchdown, on a play the Vikings call “Omaha”. Addison beat Browns cornerback Denzel Ward and caught the pass from quarterback Carson Wentz.We are all human. We all make mistakes. But at the end of the day, we only have love and respect for JA, for what he is as a player and for what he is as a person. Look at the teammate he has been for us. At the end of the day, it was a mistake, but we move on. We love that guy in this locker room. Everyone has the utmost respect for him, not only as a player but as a person.
T.J. Hockenson
