Peterson has missed the 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 him 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 NFL 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.
Adrian Peterson will not play in the NFL for the rest of 2014.
Peterson has missed the 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 him 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 NFL 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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