Following heavy criticism, the Minnesota Vikings' running back is now being put on the exempt/commissioner's permission list until he resolves the child abuse case.
- September 17, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Adrian Peterson is now deactivated indefinitely after he was charged with child abuse. The Minnesota Vikings previously decided to reinstate Peterson into the team and allow him to join practices, but the owners announced on Wednesday morning, September 17 that they were reversing their decisions. In a statement, owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf said that Peterson was put on the exempt/commissioner's permission list until he resolves the case.
"This has been an ongoing and deliberate process since last Friday's news. In conversations with the NFL over the last two days, the Vikings advised the League of the team's decision to revisit the situation regarding Adrian Peterson," they said. "After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian."
"This is the best possible outcome given the circumstances," Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, responded to the decision in a statement to The Associated Press. "Adrian understands the gravity of the situation and this enables him to take care of his personal situation. We fully support Adrian and he looks forward to watching his teammates and coaches being successful during his absence."
Last week, Peterson was charged with felony injury to a child. He admitted to using a branch to spank his young son, but he said that he did it as a form of discipline and did not intend to hurt him. The team's original decision to reinstate him drew criticism.
The Radisson hotel has said that they are suspending sponsorship for the Vikings. Other companies such as Castrol Motor Oil, Special Olympics Minnesota and Mylan Inc. also decided to sever ties with Peterson. Anheuser-Busch, meanwhile, said that they were "disappointed and increasingly concerned" by controversies surrounding the NFL this season.
