Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings running back, was suspended without pay by the NFL for at least the remainder of the 2014 season. This suspension comes after an investigation revealed that he used physical force against his four-year-old son. Adrian has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, meaning he cannot play or attend any team activities.
Many people are wondering why Adrian Peterson got suspended while other players who have committed similar offenses have not been disciplined as harshly. It is important to remember that each case is different and that the NFL investigates all claims of player misconduct. In this instance, it was determined that Adrian’s actions warranted a suspension.
The use of physical force against a child is never acceptable and it is important for the NFL to send a strong message that this behavior will not be tolerated. Adrian Peterson will have an opportunity to apply for reinstatement next year, but it remains to be seen if he will be allowed back in the league.
Why Did Adrian Peterson Get Suspended?
The Minnesota Vikings running back was suspended without pay by the NFL for at least the rest of this season on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, following his arrest on child abuse charges.
Peterson has been accused of using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son.
The boy suffered cuts, bruises and welts on his thighs, back and buttocks, according to court documents. Peterson told police he regretted the incident and never intended to injure his son. He has been charged with felony child abuse in Texas and faces up to two years in prison if convicted.
The NFL’s personal conduct policy applies to all players and states that they “will be held accountable for their actions.” The policy goes on to say that players who engage in “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in” the league will face discipline.
Why is Adrian Peterson Suspended?
Adrian Peterson, running back for the Minnesota Vikings, was suspended indefinitely from the NFL on November 18th, 2014. This was due to an incident in which he allegedly hit his four-year-old son with a switch (a slender tree branch). The child suffered cuts and bruises on his legs, buttocks, and scrotum.
Peterson admitted to striking his son but said that it was not done maliciously or with the intent to harm. He also said that he grew up in a similar environment and was disciplined in the same way by his own father.
The NFL found Peterson guilty of violating their personal conduct policy and suspended him until further notice.
He is currently appealing the suspension.
Why was Adrian Peterson Released from the Vikings?
In September 2014, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was indicted by a grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. The indictment followed an investigation into an incident in which Peterson allegedly used a wooden switch to discipline his four-year-old son.
On November 4, 2014, Peterson plead no contest to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless assault, avoiding jail time and instead being sentenced to two years’ probation.
As part of his plea deal, Peterson also agreed to pay a $4,000 fine and perform 80 hours of community service.
Following his guilty plea, the NFL suspended Peterson without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 season (a total of six games), and placed him on the Commissioner’s Exempt list. This meant that he was not allowed to participate in any team activities but was still receiving his salary.
After initially vowing to appeal the suspension, on November 18th Peterson announced that he would not be appealing and would instead serve out his suspension.
On February 28th, 2015 it was announced that the Minnesota Vikings had decided to release Adrian Peterson from their team. General Manager Rick Spielman issued a statement saying “It is important to remember that Adrian is innocent until proven guilty…We believe strongly as an organization in second chances.”
Spielman also said that they had “taken into consideration what [Peterson] has done for this organization off the field” before making their decision.
It is believed that one factor in the decision may have been financial; with Peterson owed $13 million for the 2015 season (including a $2.4 million roster bonus due on March 10th), releasing him saved the team $13 million against their salary cap . Another factor may have been due to public pressure; following news of the indictment there were calls for sponsors to boycott Vikings games and for fans to stop attending them until Peterson was no longer part of the team .
There were also concerns about how signing him would affect their image given recent high-profile domestic violence cases involving NFL players such as Ray Rice and Greg Hardy . In addition, some members of the Vikings organization reportedly felt that keeping Peterson would send mixed messages about their stance on domestic violence given that they had recently signed another player , Mike Wallace , who had been accused of assaulting his girlfriend (though he was never charged).
What Did Adrian Peterson Do to Kids?
Adrian Peterson, a former Minnesota Vikings running back, was indicted in September 2014 on charges of child abuse. The indictment alleged that he had used a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son.
The incident came to light when the boy’s mother took him to hospital with bruises on his thighs, buttocks, lower back and genitals.
Peterson told authorities that he was disciplining his son in the way he had been disciplined as a child.
Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault in November 2014 and was sentenced to two years’ probation. In 2015, he was suspended from the NFL for six games after pleading no contest to a felony charge of injury to a child.
What Happened to Adrian Peterson Son
On October 11, 2013, nine-year-old Tyrese Robert Ruffin was found dead in his mother’s home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The boy had been beaten to death with a tree branch by Joseph Patterson, the man who was dating the child’s mother at the time. Patterson was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
The child’s death sparked national outrage and led to calls for reform of the state’s child protection laws. Adrian Peterson, the NFL running back whose son was killed, became an outspoken advocate for change. He testified before the South Dakota legislature and helped pass a law that increased penalties for those who commit abuse against children.
Peterson has since become a vocal supporter of tougher laws nationwide to protect children from abuse. In 2016, he spoke out against a bill in Texas that would have weakened penalties for child abusers. And earlier this year, he lent his support to legislation in Minnesota that would create a new crime of “first-degree murder of a child under 10 years old.”
Adrian Peterson’s son Tyrese would have turned 13 years old this year. His tragic death has resulted in some positive changes that will help keep other children safe from harm.
Conclusion
Adrian Peterson, a running back for the Minnesota Vikings, was suspended from the NFL for at least the remainder of the season on Nov. 18 after he was indicted on charges of child abuse.
The suspension came after Peterson was accused of hitting his four-year-old son with a switch, or tree branch, as a form of discipline. He has been charged with one count of reckless or negligent injury to a child, which is a felony.
Peterson has admitted to using corporal punishment on his children but said that he never intended to hurt them. He has apologized for his actions and said that he will cooperate with authorities.
