Judge Grants Vikings' Kevin and Pat Williams Temporary Restraining Order Against NFL

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KSTP-TV in Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Star Tribune (via PFT) are reporting an off-field victory for the Minnesota Vikings.

Hennepin County District Court Judge Gary Larson has granted a temporary restraining order against the NFL. The order effectively halts the four-game suspensions against defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams for the use of a banned diuretic. The two took their situation to court Wednesday after the NFL announced their suspensions some 24 hours earlier.

While this ruling does allow both players to return to the Vikings' practice facility in Eden Prairie, it doesn't lock them into being available for Sunday's game against the ~~awesome~~ winless Detroit Lions. According to both Twin Cities reports, Larson is going to schedule a more extensive hearing for the next few days, and the NFL could conceivably appeal the judge's order.

So far, there has been no word of any attempts by the other four suspended players to take similar action.

The Vikings signed sixth-year pro Jimmy Kennedy Wednesday, conceivably to fill the shoes of one Williams.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-03-2008 @ 10:17PM

Larry Allen said...

The wording of the players contract with the NFL is ludicrous and the players should sue their union rep if they lose the case. The players "have to be aware what enters their bodies even if the ingredient is not listed on the label", or something like that. Does that include what a chef puts in/on his food in a restaurant? Do they have to read and understand what's on the label of canned goods? And do they have to know what preservatives are put on produce at the grocery? They're football players, not food chemists!!

12-03-2008 @ 10:25PM

doug d said...

May be a good sign. Wasn't the fourth Purple People Eater called Gary Larson the same as the judge. i hope it is an omen.

12-04-2008 @ 9:33AM

gian said...

When it comes to doping, people think its not possible that football players are involved. If a cyclist is mentioned? Hes doped!!

Cyclists have always had to be aware of what they are putting in their bodies. If not, it could cost them 2 years!

stop complaining about 4 games. You doped! get over it.

12-04-2008 @ 11:44AM

Mike said...

If somebody told me that they would pay me millions of dollars to chase around a ball every Sunday, but part of the agreement is that I can not take certain substances. I am doing everything in my power to make sure I am not taking them. And because they are football players and not food chemists, they are given a list of which supplements they can take, and which they can not. But I guess it is ludicrous to expect not only for an NFL player to know how to read, but to also be responsible for his own actions.

Viking fans should be thankful, this year they will have a good excuse when the Vikes fall apart in December and miss the playoffs again.