The news of Udoh’s arrest, the Vikings offensive lineman, was first reported by Fox Sports 640’s Andy Slater. Slater tweeted that Udoh was talking to a woman in the bathroom line at the club, wouldn’t leave her alone, and followed her into the bathroom.
According to a witness, the six-foot, 320-pound NFL player was arrested Saturday morning at the famous downtown E11EVEN nightclub. The witness reiterated that Udoh was unwilling to leave the women’s bathroom.
This week is the Viking’s bye week, where players are allowed some free time away to travel or go home. Udoh, a north Carolina Native, took his leave to South Florida in downtown Miami for the weekend.
Will this piece of news affect the Minnesota Vikings NFL odds 2022?
Per @AndySlater, Minnesota #Vikings offensive lineman Oli Udoh was arrested at a Miami nightclub on Saturday night and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. We will bring you more on the situation as we learn more. #NFL #Skol https://t.co/pvqJmXZODK
— The Daily Norseman ░V░I░K░ I░N░G░S░ ░I░N░ ░B░I░0░ (@DailyNorseman) October 23, 2022
Minnesota Vikings’ Response
The team, aware of the arrest, released a statement on Sunday through ESPN saying, “We are aware of last night’s arrest of Oli Udoh and are gathering additional information at this time.”
The legal repercussions of this arrest on Udoh and his position on the Viking’s team remain unknown. As more information pours into the story, details will be updated on Udoh’s situation.
Udoh was 2019’s NFL sixth-round pick, having just returned from an injury in his knee ligament. His following year was marked by 16 games at the right guard and left tackles in the last season.
He, however, lost his job in 2022 due to a penalty the previous year. On the Vikings team, he played three snaps on the offense during the last two games following a stint on the special teams for the first four games.
Vikings lineman Oli Udoh arrested for alleged bathroom incident with woman https://t.co/UgdNMnFJWK pic.twitter.com/fQtRSYsL0h
— New York Post (@nypost) October 24, 2022
Details of the Arrest
The arrest affidavit filed by Miami-Date County police claims that a security guard posted at the Club E11even Miami downtown saw Udoh speaking with a woman in the bathroom line. As the line moved forward and into the bathroom, Udoh joined her in the bathroom in an attempt to continue the conversation.
The altercation began when the guard asked the 25-year-old player to leave the bathroom, but he refused. This prompted him to ask for more support from additional staff in the club to remove him from the premises.
The two Miami police officers in the club, working in an off-duty but official capacity, identified themselves and intervened in the escalating situation. Despite police intervention, Udoh refused to arrest and was forced into a marked patrol car outside.
#Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell on Oli Udoh’s arrest:
“One of those things that I do want to respect the legal process. Oli called me immediately and he’s been very honest and open about the situation, some disappointment for forcing us to get that phone call.” @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/TlrpthhY32
— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) October 26, 2022
Charges presented against Udoh
Udoh is facing two charges: disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. The disorderly conduct charge is from the security guard’s account, who refused upon requesting the player to leave the women’s bathroom. This is coupled with the arresting officers’ reports, who said Udoh refused to walk to the patrol car, making it difficult to arrest him.
The other charge, disorderly conduct, arises from the drunken encounters that prompted the Vikings’ backup tackle to force his way into the women’s bathroom and subsequent refusal to leave the premises.
Resisting an officer in Florida carried a charge of up to a year in jail, a year of probation, and a thousand-dollar fine. On the other hand, disorderly conduct carried penalties amounting to 60 days in jail, a $500 fine, or six months of probation.
Statement from #Vikings OL Oli Udoh’s attorney, Brian Bieber, who calls the allegations that led to Udoh’s bye-week arrest “100% false” and says the woman involved has confirmed the allegations are false. pic.twitter.com/GBCGjouTas
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 26, 2022
Who is Oli Udoh
Olisaemeka Udoh was Elon University football’s offensive lineman before his sixth-round NFL draft by the Vikings. This pick ensured his place as the third Elon player to be chosen for the program’s Division I tenure.
As the 21st selected player in the sixth round, he became the first Elon player to be chosen higher than the seventh round since Jimmy Smith was chosen in the fourth round back in the 1984 NFL draft by the Redskins.
On joining the Minnesota Vikings, the head coach, Toni Trisciani, was excited and said this about Udoh. “He’s a young man who came here to Elon, committed to the process and, changed his body, developed as a football player and man. He’s ready for this opportunity and this challenge, and I’m excited for him, his family, and Elon football.”
Udoh is the 16th Elon player to make it into the draft. He joins Aaron Mellette, the 2013 seventh-round pick by Baltimore, and Chad Nkang, the 2007 seventh-round pick by Jacksonville, as the three main players selected in the Division I program since 1999.
Just this year, Udoh has played as a backup with three offensive snaps as the sixth offensive lineman while playing on the special teams.
He is in his final year as a rookie in his contract, and next year, spring will see him as a free agent. After the bye week, the Vikings are set to return to action this Sunday with the first game as hosts against the Arizona Cardinals.
First Flight ✈️ pic.twitter.com/r4Og9xWEFX
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 13, 2022
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