Vikings' McKinnie arrested in Miami

The Minnesota Vikings lineman is being charged with aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after he allegedly was involved in a brawl outside a Miami nightclub.

Associated Press

Last update: February 24, 2008 - 8:56 PM

Print this story

More from Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Minnesota Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie was arrested for aggravated battery after a street brawl outside a nightclub early Sunday.

McKinnie also was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence, according to a police report.

Authorities were called to Club Space after a fight broke out. McKinnie had been thrown out by a nightclub security guard and was arguing and spit on Eric Otero, according to a police report.

Otero, 32, said he wouldn't press charges if McKinnie left. Authorities said the former University of Miami player then went to a nearby strip club, but later returned to Club Space and fought with Otero again.

Miami Police found McKinnie "in the middle of a large crowd, throwing punches and again yelling obscenities," according to the police report.

Police told McKinnie to stop. He refused and boarded a bus. The bus driver was ordered not to drive away.

The 6-foot-8, 335-pound McKinnie, a staple on the Vikings' offensive line since being drafted out of Miami in 2002, was arrested and bonded out for $9,000 at 2:25 p.m., Miami-Dade County Corrections Department spokeswoman Janelle Hall said.

Miami Police did not immediately return calls left by The Associated Press.

McKinnie has been in trouble before. The NFL fined him one game check for his role in a rowdy team boat party on Lake Minnetonka in 2005. McKinnie pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in that incident.

The Vikings released a statement Sunday that said, "We are aware of the situation with Bryant McKinnie. We will respond further once we have collected the appropriate information."