Ex-NFL star Adrian Peterson accuses cops of ‘fishing expedition’ in last-ditch effort to stymie DWI case days before trial

Adrian Peterson’s football days are over, but the former NFL superstar is nonetheless still trying to complete a Hail Mary.

The ex-Minnesota Vikings running back filed a motion to suppress key evidence in his DWI case in Texas — just days before the matter was expected to go to trial, court records viewed by the California Post on Monday showed.

Peterson’s attorney, Larry P. McDougal Jr., wrote in a filing on Oct. 2 that Sugar Land Police Department officers violated his client’s “constitutional and statutory rights” when they arrested him at a gas station in October 2025.

McDougal argued that despite cops discovering Peterson asleep at the wheel of a vehicle near one of the station’s pumps, they did not have the right to investigate Peterson for driving while impaired.

“The initial contact with Defendant was conducted pursuant to a welfare check,” McDougal said. “After Defendant denied needing medical assistance, Officers unlawfully prolonged the length of the investigation to conduct a fishing expedition with no reasonable suspicion rationally related to any crime.”

McDougal wrote that because Peterson was taken into custody “without lawful warrant, probable cause or other lawful authority,” items such as statements from Peterson, blood tests and toxicology reports should be suppressed at a trial that had been slated for next week.

Court officials stated in a subsequent notice of hearing that Peterson “is entitled to a hearing on this matter,” and now, the case’s parties are slated to discuss the issue on Oct. 13, the scheduled date of the jury trial.

Peterson, 41, is facing one count of driving while intoxicated BAC >= 0.15 and one count of unlawful carrying of a weapon over allegations he admitted to cops he had been drinking before he was found at the gas station.

A probable cause affidavit stated Peterson told officers he had “two to three shots” of vodka earlier in the night. It also alleged he smelled like alcohol, slurred his speech and had blood shot eyes.

A gun, meanwhile, was located in his car’s glove compartment, the probable cause affidavit stated.

The incident marked the second time in less than a year that Peterson had been accused of drunk driving.

A message seeking comment from McDougal on Monday morning was not immediately returned.

Peterson, who logged playing time for the Vikings, Cardinals, Commanders and others in his historic career, last played in a regular season game in the NFL in the 2021 season.