Wes Phillips, the 44-year-old offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, was pulled over in December for speeding and found to have a blood-alcohol level above the state’s legal limit of 0.08%. As a result of this incident, Phillips has been suspended by the team for three weeks without pay.
In December, Phillips was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and booked into the Hennepin County jail. Despite his initial actions, he was not punished by the team during the regular season. However, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his disappointment in Phillips’ behavior and vowed to support him as he dealt with the consequences.
The suspension issued to Phillips will begin on Tuesday and last until April 22, just before the 2024 NFL Draft. This means that he will miss crucial pre-draft preparation and the beginning of the team’s offseason conditioning program. In a news conference following his arrest, Phillips took responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that he had not met the standards set by the NFL and the Vikings. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving in February, with consequences including probation, a fine, and community service. Phillips expressed his commitment to being accountable and learning from his mistakes to grow as a person and a professional.
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