BREAKING NEWS: Adrian Peterson suspended for the remainder of the season

The NFL has suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson for the rest of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Peterson was charged with felony injury to child but earlier this month he plead no contest to a lesser charging resulting in no jail time. That wasn't enough to escape discipline from the NFL though.

Here is a portion of the NFL's statement

First, the injury was inflicted on a child who was only four years old. The difference in
size and strength between you and the child is significant, and your actions clearly
caused physical injury to the child. While an adult may have a number of options when
confronted with abuse – to flee, to fight back, or to seek help from law enforcement –
none of those options is realistically available to a four-year old child. Further, the injury
inflicted on your son includes the emotional and psychological trauma to a young child
who suffers criminal physical abuse at the hands of his father.

Second, the repetitive use of a switch in this instance is the functional equivalent of a
weapon, particularly in the hands of someone with the strength of an accomplished
professional athlete.

Third, you have shown no meaningful remorse for your conduct. When indicted, you
acknowledged what you did but said that you would not ‘eliminate whooping my kids’
and defended your conduct in numerous published text messages to the child’s mother.
You also said that you felt ‘very confident with my actions because I know my intent.’
These comments raise the serious concern that you do not fully appreciate the
seriousness of your conduct, or even worse, that you may feel free to engage in similar
conduct in the future.

The NFLPA also released a statement. In that they said they would appeal the suspension.

The decision by the NFL to suspend Adrian Peterson is another example of the credibility gap that exists between the agreements they make and the actions they take. Since Adrian’s legal matter was adjudicated, the NFL has ignored their obligations and attempted to impose a new and arbitrary disciplinary proceeding.

The facts are that Adrian has asked for a meeting with Roger Goodell, the discipline imposed is inconsistent and an NFL executive told Adrian that his time on the Commissioner’s list would be considered as time served.

The NFLPA will appeal this suspension and will demand that a neutral arbitrator oversee the appeal.

We call on the NFL Management Council to show our players and our sponsors leadership by committing to collective bargaining so a fair personal conduct policy can be implemented as quickly as possible.

H/T NFL.com

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