State Claims Offer No Shield for Williamses

On Friday, Federal District Court Judge Paul Magnuson ruled against Minnesota Vikings' defensive linemen Kevin and Pat Williams' federal claims regarding their suspensions for violating the NFL's banned-substance policy. Judge Magnuson nevertheless remanded two state claims to court for determination. Whether the Vikings' players' four-game, league suspensions are upheld thus now turns on those two state claims.At the center of the Williamses' two state claims are Minnesota Statute Section 181.953 subd. 10 and Minnesota Statute 181.938.Minn. Stat. Section 181.953 pertains to punishment for a positive drug test of employees working in the State of Minnesota. The policy is writ large to cover any employee working in Minnesota, including independent contractors who otherwise would be considered self-employed, but excluding certain federal government employees. In short, the Minnesota statute appears to cover Minnesota Vikings' players.The Williamses have...