Minnesota Court of Appeals rejects appeal of conviction by former Vikings great Carl Eller

Appeal of former Vikings great Carl Eller rejected

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Former Vikings great Carl Eller has lost an appeal of his conviction stemming from a 2008 arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed the conviction of Eller for assault and refusing to submit to a chemical test. Minneapolis police pulled him over two years ago and he served 60 days in the county workhouse.

The appellate court rejected Eller’s claims of insufficient evidence and errors by the trial court.

Eller was one of the Vikings’ celebrated “Purple People Eaters” in his 15 years with Minnesota from 1964-78. He played in six Pro Bowls and all four of the Vikings’ Super Bowl appearances. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.