Vikings RB Adrian Peterson yesterday entered a no-contest plea, "admitting no guilt, to a child injury charge," according to Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Peterson "entered the no contest plea to a misdemeanor count of recklessly injuring his 4-year-old son." His plea "didn’t instantaneously resolve his status with the NFL and the Vikings." The NFL through VP/Communications Brian McCarthy "issued a statement saying it is reviewing the court record, but had no timetable for determining Peterson’s playing future." Vikings GM Rick Spielman said that he "would talk about Peterson when 'it’s appropriate to speak'” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/5). The NFL has said that it "has no timetable for a response to Peterson's case." YAHOO SPORTS' Charles Robinson noted this is "expected to trigger the league's nebulous personal conduct policy." There also is the "reality that Peterson has already sat out eight games this season." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "must decide whether Peterson should be suspended further, fined … or both" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/4). SI.com's Michael McCann noted Goodell is "likely to impose a suspension given that Peterson has pleaded no contest to a crime," as the personal conduct policy "clearly authorizes Goodell to impose a penalty in this scenario." The commissioner has "used this authority in an arguably similar situation," when in '11 he suspended Bengals RB Cedric Benson (SI.com, 11/4). CBSSPORTS.com's Jason La Canfora noted with the Vikings "on a bye this week the NFL has some time, but the expectation is that by this time next week there will be some clarity regarding Peterson's roster status." One would "suspect Peterson is back" on the Vikings' active roster "within the coming weeks, but for how long and precisely when, is still unknown" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/4).
UNION YET TO TALK TO LEAGUE ABOUT DISCIPLINE: NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith yesterday said the union has not had a conversation with the league regarding potential discipline for Peterson. But Smith noted, “All of these situations should be situations where we look at the totality of the circumstances and try to come up with the best decision in the interest of football, the player, the family, our fans and our sponsors. Right now. there is confusion about what policy applies; there is confusion about what process applies" ("Outside The Lines," ESPN2, 11/4). ESPN's Ed Werder reported the NFLPA "wants an expedited decision and they feel that there is no further justification for keeping Adrian Peterson off the field," as he has already missed eight games. The union "could understand, of course, him being fined," as he was paid while on the Commissioner's exempt list ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 11/4). FS1's Mike Garafolo noted the league considers Peterson being placed on the exempt list as "paid leave" and not a suspension. However, the union will argue that despite Peterson being paid, "taking him off the field was a form of punishment -- and they will push for immediate reinstatement." Garafolo: "This could wind up being another suspension, followed by a grievance filed by the union and another fight to see whether Peterson can get back on the field this year” ("Fox Sports Live," FS1, 11/4).
DOES LEAGUE NEED TO SUSPEND HIM? CSNBayArea.com's Ray Ratto said the NFL "can't just turn away and say, ‘Well, that takes care of it,’ because it creates debate about how easy is the justice system. Did he get the plea bargain worked out because he's a football player? They've got to do something if they want to look like they’re as responsive as they say they are going to be.” Ratto speculated Peterson would get a 2-3 game suspension without pay because the league has to "look like they are paying attention to it" (“Yahoo Sports Talk Live,” CSN Bay Area, 11/4). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said the NFL should make Peterson eligible immediately. He said, "The key word here being 'misdemeanor,' that the courts of the United States of America have decided that it’s a misdemeanor.” ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said, “I don't think that the NFL should want to get into the business of social engineering when it comes to relationships between parents and children. ... What I would do if I was the NFL is I would say, ‘There is time served here.’ He missed eight games already and I might fine him, but I would not go beyond what the court has done in this case.” Wilbon said of Goodell, “I fear he’s going to overreact in this case” (“PTI,” ESPN, 11/4). Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said how the NFL handles Peterson will set a precedent for how it is "going to handle guys like this in the future who are on the commissioner's exempt list, suspended with pay pending resolution of the case." Florio: "I’d like to think that they’ve been contemplating this, that they’ve been planning, and that they’re going to make a quick decision, a fair decision and something that doesn't feel like they're making it up as they go along." He added, "They haven't inspired a lot of confidence with the way they've handled these cases, and this is an opportunity to get it right” ("PFT," NBCSN, 11/4).
FINDING A POSITIVE: USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes the eight games Peterson has missed "have served their purpose" and by allowing Peterson "to return to the field ... he can serve a greater good." Peterson can be a "powerful voice" in the domestic violence conversation, "commanding attention from fellow parents and the public alike because of his celebrity status." His message "won't have quite the reach" if he is out of the league or if his playing status remains "in limbo" (
USA TODAY, 11/5). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote Peterson "should be allowed to immediately return" to the Vikings, "ending his de facto suspension." Wetzel: "At least he should if the NFL is capable of going outside the box, trying to make a real difference and doing more than just placating the 'punish, punish, punish' factions of society." Peterson's "punishment (or opportunity) going forward should be to take what he has learned (and will continue to learn) about abuse, anger management, parenting, child development and everything else and impart it to the public at large." If the NFL "wants to make an impact on America then it should utilize Peterson's celebrity and credibility in hard-to-reach communities and require him to lead on the subject of child abuse." Wetzel: "Public-service commercials, speeches, workshops -- whatever it takes" (
SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/4).
ON THE OTHER HAND...: In N.Y., Gary Myers writes Peterson "should not regain the right to play in the NFL just because a court in Texas reduced the felony charge to a misdemeanor." Goodell "needs to trust his instincts ... and tell Peterson he's done for the 2014 season and to check back with him in the spring" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/5). ESPNW.com's Melissa Isaacson wrote Peterson's "continued absence from football -- if not imposed by the commissioner, then by the Vikings -- would speak louder and clearer than anything." Whatever way the decision is "ultimately determined, it would come across that regardless of the positive impact Peterson's return could have on the team, what he did to that little boy was wrong and that having him wear its uniform this season would only be condoning it" (ESPNW.com, 11/4).
PLAYERS STAND BY HIM: USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero reports Peterson's teammates said that they would "have no problem with him returning after the resolution of his court case in Texas." FB Jerome Felton said, "Everybody's hopeful that he'll have an opportunity to come back. He'll definitely have 100% support in the locker room." TE Kyle Rudolph added, "We've stood behind him this whole time. You'd be crazy not to welcome him back into that locker room." QB Teddy Bridgewater: "I'm pretty sure everyone will still take him in with welcoming arms." But Pelissero notes some sponsors and fans "won't feel the same way, as the outcry at the team's initial decision to reinstate Peterson in September showed" (USA TODAY, 11/5). ESPN.com's Ben Goessling reported Peterson "has stayed in contact with numerous players and coaches throughout his absence, texting a motivational speech for coach Mike Zimmer to read to the team" before the Vikings' win over the Falcons on Sept. 28 and "passing along advice" to rookie RB Jerick McKinnon, who has run for 445 yards in Peterson's absence (ESPN.com, 11/4). But the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson said it would be an "awkward situation" if Peterson returned to the team this season. Tomasson: "Peterson has been the face of the franchise and he was being used to sell tickets for the new stadium the Vikings will move into in 2016” (“Fox Sports Live,” FS1, 11/4).
