THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller is suing the Minneapolis Police Department.

He's alleging officers violated his civil rights, used excessive force and concealed videotape evidence when they subdued him during an arrest last April.

The 66-year-old former defensive end is accused of driving through a stop sign and narrowly missing a squad car. Officers followed him home, where they say he became combative. He was charged with two felonies and two gross misdemeanours.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court Monday and contends officers assaulted Eller because he is black. Eller is to go on trial this week.

A Minneapolis police spokesman did not immediately return a phone call.