Minnesota Vikings' Bryant McKinnie meets with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

Bryant McKinnie has made his case to the NFL's head disciplinarian, but the Vikings offensive tackle's status with the league remains uncertain.

In a story first reported by profootballtalk.com, McKinnie met Friday morning with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the league's New York City offices, although no decision on a possible suspension is expected until his Florida legal situation is resolved.

McKinnie has a June 20 report date in Miami-Dade County Court as a result of his Feb. 24 arrest stemming from a fight outside a Miami nightclub.

Regardless of the resolution of that case, he also faces possible discipline under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

McKinnie's attorney hopes to persuade the state of Florida before that June 20 date to allow the player to enter a pre-trial diversion program.

If the state agrees and McKinnie fulfills the terms of the program, the charges against him would be dismissed.

If an agreement cannot be reached before June 20, a new trial date would be set.

Phone calls and e-mails to McKinnie's attorney, Larry Kerr, were not returned Saturday, and agent Ben Dogra had no comment.
An NFL spokesman said the league does not comment on such meetings.

McKinnie, who has started 87 consecutive games at left tackle for the Vikings, faces four charges, including one of felony aggravated battery. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In his only comments on the case two weeks ago, he said he believes he will be with the Vikings for the duration of training camp and the season.

"I won't make any speculations," he said, "but I'm hoping to be able to be with the team."

McKinnie was one of four Vikings players charged in the wake of the team's infamous Love Boat scandal in 2005, eventually pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance on a watercraft.

In addition to agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service, he was fined one week's salary, approximately $41,000, by the NFL in that case.

(twincities.com)