Vikings suspend DB coach Gerald Alexander for three weeks - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s Pro Football Talk reported that the Minnesota Vikings have suspended defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander for three weeks following a guilty plea to driving while intoxicated. The team announced the discipline Tuesday, according to the report, and Alexander’s suspension began July 24 and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 13.

The report said Alexander was arrested in April and entered the guilty plea earlier this month. In a team statement cited by NBCSports.com, the Vikings said they had stayed in contact with the NFL after the spring arrest while waiting for the legal process to move forward. The organization characterized the matter as serious and said it viewed the suspension as a fitting disciplinary response.

Alexander also issued a statement through the team, NBCSports.com reported. He accepted responsibility, apologized for his conduct, acknowledged that it fell short of expectations and said he understood the suspension while aiming to learn from the incident.

The absence affects the Vikings’ coaching staff during the lead-up to the season, a period when position coaches are heavily involved in installation, player development and roster evaluation. Alexander is new to Minnesota, having been hired during the offseason. NBCSports.com noted that he previously worked on staffs with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in Miami and Pittsburgh, adding context to his connection with the current defensive leadership.