Adrian Peterson Reinstated By Vikings, Expected To Play At Saints

[big_dog]

Source: USA Today- 1 hour ago

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are standing behind Adrian Peterson. The team announced Monday that its star halfback will fully participate in meetings and practice this week and is expected to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings had deactivated Peterson, 29, for their game against the New England Patriots yesterday, one day after the 2012 NFL MVP answered a warrant in Texas for his arrest on a charge of causing injury to his son by disciplining him with a tree branch.

"Today's decision was made after significant thought, discussion and consideration," owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf said in a joint statement issued by the team. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support Adrian's fulfillment of his legal responsibilities throughout this process."

"As evidenced by our decision to deactivate Adrian from yesterday's game, this is clearly a very important issue. On Friday, we felt it was in the best interests of the organization to step back, evaluate the situation, and not rush to judgment given the seriousness of this matter. At that time, we made the decision that we felt was best for the Vikings and all parties involved.

"To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child. 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.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2014/09/15/adrian-peterson-reinstated-saints-child-negligence-indictment-minnesota/15663317/

[MADem]

1. Short version "They need him to win so they don't care if he beats the crap out of his kid." nt

[Tumbulu]

3. Got that right, plus they think it is OK to beat kids

let's not forget that either. Football is a violent sport and violence is glorified.

[King_Klonopin]

34. The problem is endemic to our whole society

If I had done to a 4-year-old child what he did to his 4-year-old child, I would be in jail as we speak
on charges of assault and battery on a child. I would probably not be granted bail, either.

But, because he is "the father", that somehow is a magical, mitigating disqualifier -- a sort-of legal
"gray area" and invisible boundary which no one dares to challenge. What fucking bullshit that this
belief system still exists and functions in our society. "Parental rights" do not include the right to
assault your children.

When anyone tries to put a damper on the discussion, whether by arguing about cultural differences,
generational differences, parenting choices, etc. -- I would simply say this:

HE IS GUILTY (ADMITTED THAT HE DID IT) OF ASSAULT AND BATTERY ON A 4 YEAR OLD CHILD.

[roguevalley]

22. I give up. No wonder I haven't watched football since 1970's.

[MADem]

28. I never had much of a taste for it.

I watch the Superbowl for the commercials, and even they aren't the Big Surprise they were in years past anymore. If it's on I won't run away, I just don't seek it out.

[City Lights]

47. End of thread. nt

[tblue37]

48. Or let's use him while we still have him, just in case his legal issue makes him unavailable. nt

[yeoman6987]

51. Short version is the union probably said let him play

[kath]

4. There are PHOTOS of the wounds on the child, and Peterson admits that he did it.

How much clearer can it be?
Jeebus.

[Kurska]

16. I never implied he was innocent or that it wasn't clear he was guilty.

I said that it is a good idea as a general rule to wait until the legal process plays itself out. If not because of this case, but because there have been "slamdunk" cases that turned out to fall apart once the legal authorities really looked into them (anyone remember Chris Andersen?).

[SkyDaddy7]

17. If anyone thinks Adrian Peterson...

is going to get in any trouble for stuffing leaves in his 4yr old child's mouth & severely beating him scarring his back, arms legs, butt & scrotum then they don't know the American justice system...First, this is a CHRISTIAN dominated country & all a defense attorney has to do is read one passage from the Bible & it will either clear or hang every jury AP would face until the state is out of money trying for a conviction.

However, AP will NEVER go to trial the charges will be reduced quietly in the off season & he will plead to a BS charge like disorderly conduct, pay a small fine & continue like nothing ever happened.

I will take any bet anyone has that says otherwise!!

[Kurska]

21. You're right, he'll probably plead out.

At which point the justice system has run its course and I would be entirely fine with suspending him for a year or even indefinitely.

[SkyDaddy7]

24. AP will NEVER be Suspended if he is allowed to plea...

AP will NEVER get Suspended if they wait for a plea deal to happen...That is CON behind "waiting for the legal process"...They wait until the off season, plea to a lessor a charge & everyone continues like nothing ever happened while the media is off doing something else.

It is all about delaying to the off season when no one cares or is paying attention...It has nothing to do with justice.

Long time football fan I know how the NFL does things.

[TBF]

30. Did you say the same thing about Rice? nt

[MADem]

6. They need him to win, that's what is going on here. Make no mistake.

If he were a marginally performing player, who didn't add anything to the team, they'd suspend him and cut him the minute the guilty plea with request for diversion/leniency comes to the court docket.

If he continues to perform well, they'll suspend him for a few unimportant games and point to his counselling/therapy as a factor in mitigation.

See, there's no webcam footage of this guy beating a little kid with a tree branch. There might be a few still pictures of the damage done, but no video of the man waling on that child with that switch. Outta sight, outta mind.

[olegramps]

8. Could you possibly be implying there is a double standard?

Oh, how could you. We all know that they put justice before profits. Let it be known that no oligarch would overlook the rights of an innocent child.

[MADem]

11. Indeed. I should be horsewhipped for even thinking such a thing!!

I'll bet those guys could find someone who knows how to handle a switch!

[uppityperson]

9. Too many people confuse a court of law with the rest of the world. He admitted he did it.

There are photos of the damage he caused on his child. He has not been shown guilty in a court of law but he is, indeed, guilty of striking his child with a branch hard and often enough to cause damage.

It is not simply "on the basis of media reports" but his own admission.

[Hugabear]

10. By that rationale, Ray Rice should be reinstated immediately, and should be given back-pay

After all, the legal process declined to prosecute him. Therefore, Ray Rice should have never been suspended, and he should be immediately reinstated with full back pay.

Would you agree with that?

[MADem]

12. The legal process accepted his guilty plea. They allowed him to enter a diversion program of

therapy/counseling and stay out of trouble. He pled guilty FAST, too--he obviously had a good lawyer to get such a great plea deal and they probably figured if they gave anyone a chance to think about it they might think twice.

So, they did prosecute him, they just didn't prosecute him terribly vigorously.

The Rice thing has more to do with the NFL pretending to be "Shocked, SHOCKED...!" about that video tape that they lied about not seeing. They saw the tape, they just didn't want to admit that they saw it...because if they did admit to seeing it, they'd have to admit that they weren't terribly moved by it.

As far as they're concerned, it is more about optics than human rights. Rice's crime (to their view, mind you) wasn't his behavior, it was being in the picture when someone leaked that video to the press.

[warrant46]

39. Who says that you have to wait to suspend someone

until a jury says they are guilty?

There is no rule law or otherwise that says you can't be fired unless a jury finds you criminally guilty.

The owner of the Clippers was ordered to sell because he shot off his mouth in a subsequently hacked cell phone exchange.

Thug Peterson commits a Felony Battery and the only reason he is playing still is that Zygmunt "Zygi" Wilf needs the Benjamins and a few Peterson wins to help pay for his $1.24 Billion Dollar Palace

[MADem]

41. Not making that case. It's a private organization, they can do whatever the hell they want.

The thing is, they did one thing up until that video became public...then they played the "Shocked, SHOCKED" game and pretended they'd never seen it, when they, in fact, had....

The Clippers owner was recorded by his girlfriend who recorded him all the time because his memory was slipping. The Clippers owner signed a robust document telling him how he needed to behave; he knew what he was in for and what his standards are.

[warrant46]

42. The problem with Peterson is

If he were on the taxi squad He would have been cut already. When the Belgians who own INBev started to talk about fambly values Zygi heard the march of the Benjamins and relented.

[MADem]

43. His problem is he's a child abuser. He needs to get some help with that.

He can learn to not do that shit anymore, but it's going to take some serious therapy.

[warrant46]

44. Sorry but as my old Judge used to say

Mr (Insert name here -- lets try Peterson) is in need of correctional treatment that can only be provided in a confined setting like Dodge Correctional

[MADem]

45. Because putting him in prison is going to fix him?

Obviously, the guy is a fuck up. I don't think jailing him is going to "help" him, unless we're talking about giving him an advanced degree in criminality. It's not going to help him earn a living to support all those kids he has, either. He's going to need to downsize his assets to make them stretch to last to support all those kids until he can find some other work, too.

Consequences should accrue to this guy, but they should be the kinds of consequences that don't end up PUNISHING the children further. Taking the paycheck out of the picture punishes the kids, even if he only sees them in a supervised setting.

[warrant46]

46. Prison will not "Fix Him" and I do enjoy your comments

Jail as you point out won't do it either. BUT Prison A/K/A "The Big House" will prevent him from re-offending with the seven remaining children he has sired. Jail on the other hand with work release in the community won't work either, as his sole money making talent apparently is avoiding tackles while running with a football.

It will also provide a bit of deterrence for others who are most likely to follow in abusive footsteps such as his. People are beginning to realize that some types of crimes like sexual assault need to have registration and supervision well beyond the terms of incarceration and extended supervision A/K/A Parole

Peterson's mindset for sentencing is illustrated by this Yahoo article posted elsewhere in this forum. Some criminals are so incorrigible they can't be "Fixed". For some to suggest that we have to let him keep "working" for the $ 851,000.00 he receives each week for running with the football is also misguided. Plus because he is on the Commissioners list Peterson is still receiving his salary while he sits at home. How much "child support" is really reasonably needed for his 7 children ?

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/adrian-peterson-s-reported-text-messages-reveals-warped-view-of-manhood-that-goes-beyond-nfl-180045458-nfl.html

One of the saddest and most revealing details about the Adrian Peterson child abuse allegations/indictment is this reported text exchange with the mother of one of the children who was whipped.

"… toughest of the bunch," Peterson wrote. "He got about five more pops than normal. He didn't drop one tear! So that was another indicator I'll have to try another system with him. SMH he's tough as nails …"

The mother replied: "Well you can't hit him til he cries! That's just mean. He's trying to be strong for you. He's afraid of you. He's 4, he's not playing mind games with you …"

This whole episode besides crime and punishment illustrates the mind set of a terribly damaged psyche that will be difficult to modify to accept even a modicum of civilized behavior toward children

[MADem]

50. He can take the money he has and, say, start up a moving company or buy a few

fast food franchises--something safe, not tanning salons or tattoo parlors, but something that will stand the test of time. A good accountant can make sure he can provide for those kids. A few safe investments and he can earn as he learns a new gig in life.

I certainly don't think he needs to keep playing football--if the league is going to pretend they have standards, he's in violation. He sets a poor example by his outrageous behavior. He needs to go. I don't, though, think he needs to go to JAIL. That's not going to help him or anyone else.

I do think, though, that he has the wherewithal to support his children and he needs to keep doing that. He can pay for his own intensive therapy, he can also pay for his ankle bracelet or however they want to keep track of him. He can pay for the social workers to be present during supervised visitation. Sending him to jail, though, is not going to do any good. The man was, as the saying goes, "raised wrong." He needs to learn how his upbringing was fucked up, and then learn that it's not right to repeat the mistakes. Then he needs to apologize to all these kids and their mothers, and get his shit together. He can do it as a private citizen, but he needs to gather up his assets, downsize, and redirect--away from the glare of publicity, away from the fame of the NFL.

[warrant46]

56. +1 I think you hit it on the head about what will happpen to Mr. Peterson

Although apparently the Minnesota Group is going to let him go somewhere else to continue his "Career".

Remember when Dallas had all the bad actors in the 90's and at every away game there were a few opposing fans dressed as convicted felons in prison stripes in the audience to greet the Cowboy bad boys. In fact Jerry Jones is apparently in the hunt to sign Peterson to a new contract.

Although I think deterrence should be a sentencing factor when one compares the outcome of what Peterson did it pales compared to the usual inner city drive by shootings, rapes and felony batteries where the victim is rendered and stomped into being a quadriplegic.

[Kurska]

14. No actually huge difference, ray rice's legal proceedings are over. He pleaded out to the crime. n/t

[cali]

35. baloney. there should be an enforced code of conduct. period.

[redstatebluegirl]

5. They cannot win without him.

These are the one percenters who own these teams. Kids and women are the least of their worries...

[warrant46]

40. So True

Well Mr Peterson is back into the fray. He has 7 children he has to support ---2 sons with 2 different mothers both of whom are 4 years old. A failed family man with an anger control problem.

[Sienna86]

7. "...our focus is on doing the right thing..."

For the money-makers. Of course.

[Wellstone ruled]

13. What the hell!!!

So you can beat the crap out of your kid and get charged with child abuse and nobody gives a shit. What is really sad is this story is about a fellow who lives in Minnesota. Minnesotan's as a rule come down hash on child abuse. Been a Vikes fan since day one of this team,seems with each season it's drunken driving or some type of physical assault every year since the Grant years. From what I seen in yesterday's game,they need more than Peterson. Like a coaching staff who knows what is what. This team is run by a bunch of retreads that need to go. Ownership is a major douche bag operation to start with. So much for Minnesota nice.

[theHandpuppet]

19. Remember, this is the same homophobic Vikings organization that just settled a lawsuit

Chris Kluwe sued the Vikings for their horrific anti-gay harassment:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11375100/chris-kluwe-minnesota-vikings-reach-settlement-avert-lawsuit

What a shitty organization.

[DeadLetterOffice]

15. "We played without him. We lost. So we're letting him back on the team."

Lovely priorities those Wilf boys have there, yes indeed.

[FLPanhandle]

18. Roger Goodell could improve his reputation by stepping in here and permanently suspending him.

Of course, he hasn't shown great PR skills so far.

[alp227]

20. Peterson has issued an apology for causing hurt to his child:

http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Adrian-Peterson-sorry-for-hurting-child-5756854.php

[theHandpuppet]

23. Yeah, well he just doesn't get it

In Peterson's statement, he also expresses remorse for the results of his interaction with the child, says that he has sought counseling and indicates that he mimicked the discipline he received growing up in East Texas — a method he credits for "the success I have enjoyed as a man" and for preventing him from becoming "one of those kids that was lost in the streets."

[TBF]

31. Oh, and is there an apology yet for the second child:

Second Adrian Peterson case involves alleged head wound, scar
Posted by Mike Florio on September 15, 2014, 7:59 PM EDT
AdrianPeterson Reuters

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, revered for years as one of the nicest guys in all of sports, is turning out to be anything but nice or reasonable when it comes to administering discipline to his children.

According to KHOU 11 in Houston, the second case against Peterson, which has not yet resulted in criminal charges, arose after he administered a “whooping” to another four-year-old son by creating a head wound that reportedly left a scar over the boy’s right eye.

In a chain of text messages with the boy’s mother, Peterson admits that the wound occurred as Peterson disciplined the boy for cussing at a sibling.

Per the report, Peterson never admits what he struck the boy with, but Peterson told the boy’s mother, “Be still n take ya whooping he would have saved the [scar].” No charges were filed, according to the report. The boy’s mother filed a report with Child Protective Services; the outcome of the investigation is unclear.

The fact that Peterson faces allegations in a separate case compels the league to aggressively investigate both incidents, and to take action against Peterson, if the league determines that Peterson did what he is accused of doing.

Failure to act promptly would suggest a level of indifference to child welfare that justifiably should make fans equally indifferent to the NFL.z

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/15/second-adrian-peterson-case-involves-alleged-head-wound-scar/

[Oktober]

25. Utterly tone deaf

[Drale]

26. Add another to the list of people I hope suffer a career ending injury /nt

[PeteSelman]

27. If a team punishes a player, the league cannot punish him.

By deactivating him Sunday, they now block the league from imposing any more punishment on him. Many people don't know that.

If the Ravens had suspended Rice, the league couldn't have done anything to him.

Same with Hardy in Carolina.

Fucked up.

[Calista241]

36. Blame the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

for that little tidbit. That was a part of the contract negotiated by the players and agreed to by the NFL.

[FLPanhandle]

37. Doesn't mean the league can't come out and say in their opinion the player should be suspended

They may not be able to do it, but they can state their opinion.

[Man from Pickens]

29. Sick

and what's even sicker, I hear they're considering putting the war criminal Condi Rice in as Commissioner to "clean up" the violence problem

what's next, getting the KKK Grand Wizard on board to combat racism?

[DesertDiamond]

32. It bugs the bejesus out of me that they use the word "discipline." Unfortunately, people like that

use that word when what they're referring to is violent assault.

[DesertDiamond]

33. Unfortunately, they can't afford to fire every player guilty of violent assault. They'd be left

with a skeleton crew of players.

[warrant46]

38. Its about a Thug Culture

Children who are abused at a young age carry the trend forward into adult hood. Any competent psychologist will concur.

Unfortunately, Mr Peterson is in need of correctional treatment that can only be provided in a confined setting like a prison

[flvegan]

49. And Little Mikey Vick will suit up for the Jets.

The NFL is a violent place where some are forgiven and some aren't. Don't quite see why.

[brewens]

52. At my girlfriends cafe one morning a couple old guys were talking about Vick, just after

he got busted. They were saying he was done. Never would play again.

I jumped in and said, not a chance. As long as he can put buts in the seats and a team thinks he can help them win, he will be back.

I also added, if convicted and he does any time, all he has to do is say he found JAYUSUS and all will be forgiven! I called that right, except for the doing time part. He didn't even wait that long to play the JAYUSUS card. He blurted that out to the press like after his first hearing! His PR guy or lawyer must have put him up to that.

[3catwoman3]

53. What a difference...

...a day makes.

[DonCoquixote]

54. Society loves assholes

I hate to be that crude about it, but society, especially but NOT limited to ours, loves the asshole, because they think he can be made their asshole to attack enemies.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

55. What a load of horseshit!