I don't think I've written about the Minnesota Vikings on here before. I'm just not really a fan. But the recent child abuse allegations against star running back Adrian Peterson are a good example of something I'd like to write about.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the situation. Do you think he did it, meaning hit his 4-year-old son with a stick? Should he be allowed to play football? Should he be suspended until the legal process plays out?
Let's review. News broke last Friday that Peterson was indicted by a grand jury on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. As a result, Peterson didn't play in Sunday's home opener. The Vikings lost 30-7 to the New England Patriots.
AP will play, Vikings say
Monday, the team announced that Peterson would not be suspended but will play this weekend. They'll leave the allegations up to the legal system to sort out. But in the meantime, Peterson can return to his job on the football field.
By Monday night, another allegation surfaced of Peterson abusing another son of his.
So, what changed from Friday to Monday, when Peterson was first deactivated from playing but now will play this weekend? Oh that's right, AP is arguably the NFL's best running back, and the Vikes got pounded in its loss without him suiting up against the Pats. That must be the reason, right?
It's funny that the Vikings announced Peterson will be able to play while the case goes through court. They're giving him the benefit of the doubt, innocent until proven guilty. That's fine, but where was that logic with other Vikings players who have been in legal trouble?
Double standards
The team wasted no time releasing A.J. Jefferson last year after he was arrested for domestic assault. No waiting around for the legal process in that instance. But Jefferson wasn't the greatest player in the league crucial to his team's success, like AP. I guess that's the difference.
I don't know what the policies are for the NFL or the Vikings when it comes to players in legal hot water, but it's not a place for double standards. Actually, the Vikes should be used to dealing with these "distractions," as they call them, by now. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Vikings have had more players arrested since 2000 than any other NFL team. It's 44, to be exact.
There's a lot of emphasis in this situation put on winning football games. Peterson is a franchise player for the Vikings, and everybody knows it. Just because he can score touchdowns and rack up near-record-breaking yardage does not mean Peterson gets to be above the law and act however he wants.
Win baby, win
Winning isn't everything. Under child abuse allegations, Peterson gets to continue his job this week. How many other people would still have their jobs if they were in the same situation?
If you think I'm being harsh here, that may be so. But the alleged actions Peterson took against his child(ren) were harsh, too. It's sparked debate in the gray area of what goes too far when it comes to disciplining your child.
In a statement from Peterson, he said he is not a child abuser. Maybe not in his mind, but now it's in the hands of lawyers, a judge and possibly a jury.
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