Vikings Fans, Former Players React To AP Suspension
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The few players who are speaking out about Adrian Peterson's suspension from the NFL are voicing support for the running back, and frustration with the league.
Peterson's future with the Minnesota Vikings may be in doubt, but his larger-than-life image remains at the construction site of the new Vikings stadium.
Some fans say Peterson is getting harsher treatment because of the furor over other NFL domestic assault cases, while other fans say the NFL got it right
Fullback Jerome Felton commented on the decision on Twitter.
To say I disagree would b the understatement of the year! And I hope this does away w going on the "commisioners exempt list"!!
— jerome felton (@jfelton45) November 18, 2014
In a radio interview on KFAN, Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson said Peterson has been punished enough.
"Now you just can't judge him off this act what he did, you know," Patterson said. "He done paid the price already, you know, and I feel like the league, they stepping out of hand with it," Patterson said.
That view was shared by former Viking E.J. Henderson.
"My personal opinion, I think he got a raw deal," Henderson said.
Reaction from fans is mixed, with some accusing Commissioner Roger Goodell of treating Peterson harshly to counter the bad PR the league has gotten over its handling of other domestic assault cases.
Fan Levin Blair of Minneapolis says Peterson shouldn't have to be league's fall guy.
"Yeah, he made a mistake, but he shouldn't have to be the poster boy for discipline in the NFL," Blair said. "Roger Goodell I think is just trying to prove a point."
Others, like Mark Devine of Minneapolis, agree with the punishment.
"I think it was probably the right choice by the NFL," Devine said. "Commissioner had strong words, but it's up to the rest of the team to play well in his absence."
Some fans had been holding out hope that Peterson would be able to return for the rest of the season. Now that those hopes seem highly unlikely, the real question is whether fans will ever see Adrian Peterson in a Vikings uniform again.
The NFL Players Association responded with a blistering rebuttal, calling the discipline inconsistent. They say they will appeal and want an independent arbitrator to oversee that.