MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings defensive back Jayron Kearse apologized Monday after a weekend arrest.
The 25-year-old Kearse was arrested Sunday while driving on a closed portion of Interstate 94 eastbound, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The incident report says Kearse had a BAC of .10, and a loaded firearm was found in the car.
Kearse was not at practice Monday, but apologized during a media availability.
"My actions over this past weekend are not a reflection of who I am as a person or what this organization stands for," he said. "The team and these fans deserve better. I definitely take this matter very seriously and I'm sorry for putting anybody in harm's way, and I'll go through all the necessary steps to improve myself."
Kearse was arrested just before 4 a.m. on Sunday, and was released from jail around 2:30 p.m. after posting $6,000 bond.
The nephew of former defensive end Jevon Kearse, he was drafted as a rookie by Minnesota in 2016.
"I made a bad decision," Kearse said Monday. "I'm shaken up about it but you know, I've got my teammates and everybody behind me, the support from them is big for me."
Kearse was drafted in the seventh round by the Vikings in 2016 and has played an integral fill-in role with the defense, along with being one of the top special teams players on the team. His influence on special teams earned him a role as a special teams captain.
