The Minnesota Vikings announced on Monday that Adrian Peterson will participate fully in practice this week and play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. After choosing to declare him inactive against the New England Patriots, the team has decided to allow Peterson to play until the legal process plays out.
“To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child,” Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf said in a statement. “At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action. This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing. Currently we believe we are at a juncture where the most appropriate next step is to allow the judicial process to move forward.”
The Vikings can play the “due process” angle up all they want, but we know this is about trying to win football games. Peterson reportedly admitted to police that he hits his son with a switch but said he does not feel his form of discipline should be considered abuse. The 4-year-old boy also allegedly told investigators that he was hit in the face but was worried about telling on his dad.
Police also provided photos of the boy’s injuries that showed multiple red marks and open wounds on his legs, back and hands. While it is up to the courtroom to decide if Peterson’s disciplinary tactics constitute child abuse, there is certainly plenty of evidence for the Vikings to suspend or deactivate AP until the situation is sorted out. The decision is about staying in contention and nothing else.
