Former NFL linebacker and current FOX Sports analyst Jonathan Vilma was arrested in Miami on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, for driving with a suspended license. The 43-year-old was initially stopped by police for having an expired vehicle tag, according to reports from multiple outlets, including FOX Sports Radio and the New York Post.
Vilma, a standout at the University of Miami, was selected 12th overall by the New York Jets in the 2004 NFL Draft. He earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and led the league in tackles in 2005. In 2008, he was traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he played six seasons and helped the team win its first Super Bowl in 2010. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2017.
Following his playing career, Vilma transitioned to broadcasting, serving as a college football analyst for ESPN before joining FOX Sports. He recently completed his fifth season calling NFL games for FOX alongside Kenny Albert.
This is not Vilma’s first legal issue. In 2009, he faced a felony charge of resisting arrest, which was later dropped.
As of now, no additional details about the recent arrest have been released. It remains unclear how this incident might affect his broadcasting role with FOX Sports.
Vilma’s arrest adds to a list of former NFL players who have faced legal issues in Miami. For instance, former Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained by police in September 2024 for a traffic violation. The incident escalated when officers forcibly removed him from his car and handcuffed him. Hill was released at the scene and played in the Dolphins’ game later that day.
The Miami-Dade Police Department launched an internal investigation into the incident involving Hill, and one officer was placed on administrative leave. Hill later called for police reform and joined efforts to address misconduct.
These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about interactions between law enforcement and professional athletes in the Miami area. As the legal process unfolds, further information about Vilma’s case is expected to emerge.