Following the plea bargain in his child abuse case, Adrian Peterson has been fighting to be reinstated back into the NFL. Today commissioner Roger Goodell informed Peterson that he is suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season.
Goodell’s statement via ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter:
Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was notified today that he has been suspended without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 NFL season, and will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15, for violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy in an incident of abusive discipline that he inflicted on his four-year-old son last May. Peterson pled no contest on November 4 in state court in Montgomery County, Texas to reckless assault of the child.
In a letter to Peterson, Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision. Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions. Failure to cooperate and follow your plan will result in a lengthier suspension without pay.
Goodell noted the new NFL Code of Conduct policy (implemented after the Ray Rice situation) that says players will be suspended for six games in cases of assault, battery and domestic violence. Goodell also said it’s a four-year old child and the difference in size and strength is significant as well as the switch which is the functional equivalent of a weapon. And lastly Goodell says Peterson has shown no remorse.
Peterson has three days to file an appeal which Schefter says he will do right away.
