NFL Tested With Adrian Peterson Scandal

NFL Tested With Adrian Peterson Scandal

Davis Goode, Editor-In-Chief

The newly minted NFL policy towards domestic violence was mostly developed with spousal violence in mind. However, most people view child abuse and domestic abuse in a similar punitive light. In an organization such as the NFL, that certainly should be the case.

Adrian Peterson, the 2013 NFL MVP, is facing two separate allegations of child abuse, one of which alleges Peterson spanked his four-year old son with a tree branch. The NFL has been embroiled recently in controversy over its handling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse incident, and this seems to be a test that is just as, if not more, important.

The Minnesota Vikings deactivated Peterson indefinitely with pay, a move they were forced to coordinate with the NFL Players Association. Many people are patiently awaiting the decision of the NFL, which is patiently awaiting the results of the investigation. If the allegations are found to be true, the NFL will undoubtedly suspend Peterson.

Peterson will soon face more press as evidence has surfaced of another incident involving a different son. Text messages and pictures substantiate the claim that Peterson rammed his son’s head into a carseat for swearing at a sibling. Peterson adamantly denies the claim, but defends his actions with regard to his other son by saying that he was disciplined in the same manner as a child.

Some players, like runningback Reggie Bush, have defended Peterson, saying he’d consider “harshly disciplining” his one year old daughter. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton believes Peterson should be suspended. Most NFL fans have strongly criticized Peterson for his actions, but he may be able to save his reputation in the same way Ray Lewis did; Lewis rode out the investigation, maintained innocence, accepted a lesser charge, and mounted a prolific comeback.