Adrian Peterson will not play in the NFL for the rest of 2014.
Peterson has missed the Minnesota Vikings' past nine games after being charged in Texas with committing reckless or negligent injury to a child. The felony charges stem from injuries Peterson's son sustained when Peterson disciplined the 4-year-old with a switch.
The NFL ruled on Tuesday morning that Peterson, who pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault charges, will be suspended without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 season. The Vikings running back will not be eligible for reinstatement before April 15, 2015.
NFL executives discussed possible disciplinary actions on Monday. Arbitrator Shyam Das rendered the decision; the NFL Players' Association has already announced it will appeal. While not taking a position on the case itself, the NFLPA has used this case to express concern with the NFL's handling of disciplinary matters.
However, in the Peterson matter, the NFL made certain to avoid any indication of soft or insufficient punishment, and league commissioner Roger Goodell offered a multi-pronged demonstration of his avowed intent to employ firm discipline when the NFL deems it necessary.
“The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision," Goodell said in a lengthy open letter to Peterson. "Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions. We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you to succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement. You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children, and have no further violations of law or league policy."
Peterson has been charged with child abuse for the use of a switch on his young son. Goodell's letter outlined the reasons behind the suspension, starting with the age of the child.
"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," Goodell wrote.
In addition, a switch in the hands of a man such as Peterson effectively becomes a weapon, Goodell added. Finally, Goodell believes Peterson showed "no meaningful remorse" for his actions. "When indicted," Goodell wrote in the letter to Peterson, "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."
Peterson's misdemeanor plea, entered in Texas on Nov. 4, requires him to pay $4,000 and provide 80 hours of community service.
The NFL Players' Association immediately appealed the decision.
"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," the NFLPA said in a statement. "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 NFL and the Players' Association, in connection with Peterson, have battled over the handling of this case in both arbitration and the court of public opinion. The NFL accused Peterson of skipping a disciplinary hearing this past Friday. Peterson and the NFLPA disputed that charge, saying that the NFL has been arbitrary and inconsistent in its application of discipline in this case.
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