Adrian Peterson (28) has an uncertain playing future with the Vikings. ( Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)
Less than two days after announcing that they were reinstating running back Adrian Peterson to the active roster, the Minnesota Vikings changed course early Wednesday.
The Vikings placed Peterson, who faces a child-abuse charge, on the NFL’s exempt list until his case is resolved. The move will keep him from participating in team activities, including games, for the foreseeable future.
Peterson will not be on the field Sunday when Minnesota plays the Saints in New Orleans.
“After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian,” owners Zigi Wilf and Mark Wilf wrote in a statement. “We are always focused on trying to make the right decision as an organization. We embrace our role — and the responsibilities that go with it — as a leader in the community, as a business partner and as an organization that can build bridges with our fans and positively impact this great region. We appreciate and value the input we have received from our fans, our partners and the community.”
The decision to take Peterson off the field came after a few days of bad publicity for the Vikings. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Vikings fan, took the team to task for reinstating Peterson. Radisson suspended its limited sponsorship of the team, and Anheuser-Busch, a major NFL sponsor, said it was “disappointed” and “increasingly concerned” by recent league incidents.
“It is an awful situation,” Dayton said in a statement. “Yes, Mr. Peterson is entitled to due process and should be ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ However, he is a public figure; and his actions, as described, are a public embarrassment to the Vikings organization and the State of Minnesota. Whipping a child to the extent of visible wounds, as has been alleged, should not be tolerated in our state. Therefore, I believe the team should suspend Mr. Peterson, until the accusations of child abuse have been resolved by the criminal justice system.”
Nike, with which Peterson has a high-paying shoe and apparel deal, plans to remove Peterson-related merchandise in the state of Minnesota this week according to multiple reports. Peterson re-upped with Nike in March 2013 on the heels of his 2,000-yard rushing season. Nike also serves as official uniform sponsor of the league and, according to CBS Sports Chicago, the company is in contact with the NFL about next steps with Peterson.
If Peterson is found to be in violation of his morals clause, Nike can cancel the endorsement agreement.
Peterson’s case might not be heard in Texas until early next year.
He was indicted Friday on charges of child neglect. Pictures and text messages support allegations that Peterson whipped his 4-year-old son with a tree branch to the point of visible wounds.
Peterson was deactivated by the Vikings for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
General manager Rick Spielman announced Monday that while the Vikings “take child welfare seriously,” Peterson would be reinstated this week to afford him due process in the court system.
Peterson issued a statement Monday but said his attorney, Rusty Hardin, advised him not to address the facts of the case.
“I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child,” Peterson’s statement read. “I never wanted to be a distraction to the Vikings organization, the Minnesota community or to my teammates. I never imagined being in a position where the world is judging my parenting skills or calling me a child abuser because of the discipline I administered to my son.”
On Monday, Houston television station KHOU reported the running back was accused of another incident involving another of his 4-year-old sons a year ago.
No charges were filed regarding that incident, and Hardin denied the allegations.
The TV station report said a photo that was allegedly texted by Peterson to the boy’s mother showed a wound on the boy’s head with bandages on it.
A text from Peterson to the woman reportedly said, “Be still n take ya whooping he would have saved the scare (scar). He aight (all right).”
