The spotlight continues to shine on the NFL this week with another case of a criminal act from the athletes working in the league. Adrian Peterson, running back for the Minnesota Vikings, has been indicted for child abuse toward his 4-year old son.
Last June, Peterson’s son was visiting his home in Texas when the alleged incident occurred. Text messages were found between Peterson and the child’s mother describing the whipping given by the star running back. The mother asked Peterson if he beat the child and he replied, “Yep. He was asking for it.” In a later statement, the Vikings running back claimed his son cussed at another sibling.
Also surfacing since the charges occurred was another incident from more than a year ago involving Peterson and a different son. According to Rusty Hardin, Peterson’s attorney, in a statement to CBSNews.com, “The allegation of another investigation into Adrian Peterson is simply not true. The allegation is more than one year old and authorities took no action. An adult witness admittedly insists Adrian did nothing inappropriate with his son.”
The discipline given to the child, based on reports, greatly surpasses a simple whipping. I read that Peterson claiming it was the way he was brought up from a young age and he didn’t see any wrong with a small physical beating. The man beat his child with a tree branch that left multiple wounds on the 4-year old’s forehead.
If you ask any parent, they will tell you they want their child to be a better person and better parent than they were. For someone who received beatings at a young age, Peterson doesn’t seem like a parent with the right intentions for his child. A beating that pierces the skin crosses the line for discipline and the repercussions haven’t been consistent coming from the NFL. Ray Rice beats his girlfriend, gets suspended indefinitely. Peterson beats his child and is reinstated before even missing a game.
The Vikings claim Peterson deserves to play while the legal process plays out, however, this decision has prompted a major sponsor to drop its contract. The NFL should take action such as with Aaron Hernandez.
No matter the crime, if a professional athlete is charged with a felony and is awaiting trial, that player should be suspended during the process. What if that player is found guilty? Peterson faces up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, which he would earn when he plays this weekend against New Orleans.
Two counts of abuse have surfaced against Peterson in the past weeks and he suits up this weekend while Rice, who was extremely apologetic, sits on the sideline. The NFL’s consistency continues to be shaky with discipline of its employees.
As we head into week three, Peterson hits the field with the thoughts of his scarred child and an upcoming trial lingering in his head.