Adrian Peterson says NFL discipline is unfair
MINNEAPOLIS - Adrian Peterson says he feels the NFL's process of assessing his case for potential discipline has been unfair.
The NFL Players Association issued a statement Sunday on behalf of Peterson, who has been sidelined since his indictment for child abuse in September.
"At this point, I've resolved my matter in the criminal court; I've worked to make amends for what I've done; I've missed most of the season, and I stand ready to be candid and forthcoming with Mr. Goodell about what happened," Peterson's statement read. "However, I will not allow the NFL to impose a new process of discipline on me, ignore the (Collective Bargaining Agreement), ignore the deal they agreed to with me, and behave without fairness or accountability."
Peterson recently pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge, freeing himself from the court system. The union filed a grievance with the league, demanding he be allowed to play until any punishment under the personal conduct policy is determined. The NFL has ruled that Peterson will remain on paid leave during that process.
An arbitrator will hear arguments from both sides Monday regarding the grievance.
Peterson was initially indicted on a felony charge of injury to a child for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son earlier this year in suburban Houston. The All-Pro running back says he never intended to harm his son and was disciplining him in the same way he had been as a child growing up in East Texas.
The boy suffered cuts, marks and bruising to his thighs, back and on one of his testicles, according to court records.
As part of the plea agreement on the charges, Peterson will pay a $4,000 fine, perform 80 hours of community service, and be placed on deferred adjudication for two years.
The case revived a debate about corporal punishment, which is on the decline in the U.S. but still widely practiced in homes and schools.
Peterson has been on paid leave from the Vikingsunder a special exemption from the NFL commissioner to take care of his legal problems.
It is still not clear how the plea deal will affect his playing status, but he will be subject to possible discipline from the NFL. He has missed nine games and has not been allowed to participate in team activities.
In August, Roger Goodell and the NFL introduced more aggressive penalties for domestic violence offenders. The league announced that first-time offenders will receive a 6-game ban at minimum. A second offense could result in a lifetime ban from the NFL.