A few hours after Tom Johnson told reporters that "people in authority should be accountable," International Sports Agency, which represents the Vikings defensive tackle, released a statement raising 17 points in Johnson's defense after their client was arrested early Sunday morning.
The statement said Johnson was not under the influence of alcohol at Seven steakhouse in downtown Minneapolis and was waiting for a valet to deliver his vehicle to him at around 2 a.m. Security personnel told him to leave because he was wearing boots — the same boots he had worn in the club minutes earlier, according to the statement.
The statement said off-duty police officers, who were working at Seven, yelled at Johnson to leave the lobby. Johnson asked why he was the only one who had to leave and as he was exiting, was pepper-sprayed, the statement read.
Johnson called a car service to pick him up because his vision was impaired by the pepper spray, the statement continued, when the officer who pepper-sprayed him came out of Seven. Johnson videotaped the officer knocking his cell phone out of Johnson's hand.
The statement says as Johnson reached for his phone, the officer used a Taser "multiple times."
The statement concludes that the "battery committed against Mr. Johnson by the off-duty police officers is a clear violation of Mr. Johnson's rights. We are continuing to investigate and will move forward with the proper legal actions once that process has concluded. We are confident that once the facts of the case are revealed Mr. Johnson will be fully exonerated."
Johnson, who was cited for disorderly conduct and trespassing and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct.17, participated in Tuesday's practice after his arrest over the weekend.
"Business as usual," the 30-year-old said.
