The NFL's
image to the public has gone from bad to worse, as star Vikings running back Adrian Peterson
faces indictment for using corporal punishment to his son.
It's a real shame, because a player of his caliber has seen his likeability ruined due to physically abusing his children. I used to like this player, but no more after these revelations have come to light.
Darin Gantt at ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com:
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the incident in question stems from “disciplining of a son with a switch.”
For those of you unfamiliar with the Southern vernacular, a switch is a flexible tree branch used to swat a child across the backsides.
How you view that — as an act of parental discipline or as child abuse — depends largely on your age and geographic location.
Barry Petchesky at Deadspin:
Fox Houston reports that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been indicted in Montgomery County, Texas, for reckless or negligent injury to a child.
According to Fox Houston's Isiah Carey, the charges stem from allegations that Peterson "beat his young son." Child Protective Services confirmed to TMZ that it has a case involving Peterson and an 11-year-old boy.
Joseph Stromberg at Vox:
Friday afternoon, Fox News Houston reported that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child.
The indictment is reportedly related to Peterson discipling his son with a switch. The investigation has apparently been going on for some time, with Peterson testifying before a grand jury weeks ago, an unusual step for a child abuse case.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) on Twitter:
Per ESPN SportsCenter's Twitter account, the Vikings have released a statement on the matter:
He is likely to be inactive this Sunday, and will likely be suspended.
Other Peterson controversies: he has opposed marriage equality, but doesn't have much of a problem with having a gay teammate on the roster.
3:35 PM PT: Gets more graphic: Adrian likes belts and switches and even has a "whooping room."
5:04 PM PT: Adrian Peterson has been deactivated from the game Sunday against the Patriots. Fantasy football owners, set your lineups accordingly and remove him from your lineup(s) and possibly from your team(s).