Ex-Viking Carl Eller arrested for alcohol-related driving offense

Former Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller punched a police officer and threw another one onto the hood of his Mercedes SUV as they tried to arrest him for possible drunken driving, police said.

Officers Gil Antaya and Seth Porras are both at least 200 pounds, but they frantically called for backup in the confrontation early Wednesday, Inspector Mike Martin said.

"They said they were fighting for their lives," Martin said at a news conference, where he showed photos of the officers' injuries.

Antaya has a large bump on the side of his nose and swelling near his eye, and Porras suffered scratches and bruises, Martin said.

After other officers arrived to help, the 66-year-old Eller was taken to the Hennepin County jail. He refused to take a breath or blood test and was booked on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, fleeing police and assaulting a police officer.

Martin said the officers in north Minneapolis saw an SUV swerve toward them and speed through a stop sign. They gave chase, and the SUV reached speeds of more than 60 mph through city streets.

The SUV didn't stop until it pulled into Eller's garage at about 1 a.m., Martin said.

The officers followed Eller into his garage and asked him to get out of the vehicle. He refused at first, but when he got out he threatened and fought with officers, Martin said. One of them used a Taser, but Martin said it had no effect.

During the scuffle, the officers were able to put Eller into a neck hold until help arrived, he said.

Eller was a member of the famed "Purple People Eaters" in his 15 years as a defensive end with Minnesota from 1964-78. He played in six Pro Bowls and all four of the Vikings' trips to the Super Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Martin said it was a difficult arrest for the officers, who didn't initially realize it was Eller.

"These officers are crushed," Martin said. "This is a guy who was a hero to many of the officers in this department."

Martin said Eller did not request a lawyer when he was questioned Wednesday and it was unclear if he had hired one. He remained jailed Wednesday afternoon.

In 2006, Eller was charged in the suburb of Golden Valley with driving under the influence. He later pleaded guilty.

Eller has acknowledged his history as a substance abuser. He became a treatment counselor and has spoken publicly to groups about the problems of chemical dependency.

The officers were disappointed to be fighting someone they'd admired, but "they hope that maybe this situation will allow him to get the help that he apparently needs," Martin said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Gallery

Fullscreen SlideshowPrevious Slide

1 of 1

Next Slide