Addison played 10 games and started eight as a true freshman at Pittsburgh in 2020. He led the team with 60 receptions for 666 yards and four touchdowns.[4][5][6] He returned to Pittsburgh as a starter in 2021.[7][8] In 2021, he went on to lead college football in touchdown receptions with 17 in the 2021 regular season while catching 100 passes for 1,593 yards.[9] He earned consensus All-American honors and won the 2021 Fred Biletnikoff Award.[10]
Addison was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, 23rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft.[15] In his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, Addison had four receptions for 61 yards and his first NFL touchdown, as the Vikings lost 20–17.[16] During Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Addison had three receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown in the 34–28 loss.[17] In Week 7, against the 49ers, he had seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the 22–17 victory.[18] In Week 15 against the Bengals, he had six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the 27–24 loss.[19] As a rookie, Addison appeared in all 17 games and started 14. He recorded 70 receptions for 911 receiving yards and ten receiving touchdowns.[20] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[21]
On July 20, 2023, Addison was pulled over and cited for speed and reckless driving before reporting to his first training camp. Driving a Lamborghini Urus on Interstate 94 in Saint Paul, he was allegedly going 140 miles per hour (230 km/h) in a 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) zone at 3 AM. The same day, the Vikings released a statement, stating they were aware of the incident and were looking into it.[22][23] Addison told a police officer at the scene that he was driving at that speed due to a medical emergency involving his pet dog.[24][25] The next month, Addison pled guilty to a petty misdemeanor, which resulted in him paying a $686 fine and having his driver's license revoked for six months.[26][27]
Shortly before midnight on July 12, 2024, Addison was arrested near the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.[28][27][29] At the time of his arrest, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers found Addison asleep at the wheel, with his car blocking traffic lanes.[29][28] He was arrested following a 30-minute investigation.[29][28] He was then released from custody two hours later on July 13, with no charges yet to be filed.[28][29][27] Despite this, Addison was still facing DUI charges.[30] On July 31, 2024, Addison would be charged with two misdemeanors, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with blood-alcohol content over California's legal limit of .08 percent.[31][32] His arraignment and plea hearing, which will take place in the Los Angeles Superior Court, has been set for October 7, 2024.[31][32]
