Regarding Peterson, Vikings’ Ship Has Sailed

September 16, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

The Minnesota Vikings reinstated running back Adrian Peterson on Monday. The reinstatement makes quite a statement about the Vikings. And it isn’t a good one. Peterson has been indicted by a Texas grand jury for child abuse (hitting his 4-year-old son with a tree branch that he used as a switch). Peterson was deactivated for Sunday’s game, which the Vikings lost 30-7. Minnesota rushed 19 times for 54 yards (2.8 yards-per-carry average). The return of the face of the franchise is purely coincidental.

Video below of Morgan Maria.

* Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said: “Over the weekend and early this morning, we gathered as much information as we possibly could, had multiple conversations with Adrian’s attorneys and met several times with Adrian personally. Based on all of that, we made the decision that we felt was the right decision at this time. This is a very important issue. I want to take time to emphasize that the issue of child welfare is extremely serious and should be taken serious, not only by us but by everybody. We are trying to do the right thing. This is a difficult path to navigate regarding the judgment of how a parent disciplines his child. Based on the extensive information that we have right now and what we know about Adrian not only as a person but what he has also done for this community, we believe he deserves to play while the legal process plays out. At the same time, we must defer to the legal system to determine whether he went too far, but we cannot make that judgment. Adrian will be active for this weekend’s game but we will continue to monitor the situation and make the decision we feel is best for this organization and all parties going forward.” English translation: We value victories over victims of child abuse.

* The Vikings will defer to the legal system. Because apparently they are willing to tolerate anything short of murder. I hate to resort to name-calling. But in the Vikings’ case, I’m willing to make an exception. Spielman and owners Zygi Wulff

* So Vikings ownership and management are hoping Peterson can triumph in his case, so they can justify not taking action against him. If the Vikings are look to triumph in the court of public opinion, they might have quite the challenge.

* Does the NFL need a video of Peterson hitting his son before it takes action? Does the NFL value a child’s welfare less than it does an adult’s? Because the league’s inaction sure makes it look that way.

* In a statement, Peterson said: “I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury. No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that’s what I tried to do that day.” Someone needs to provide Peterson with a clearer definition of child abuse. You hit a kid with a stick and you don’t expect injury to result from that? On the bright (?) side, Peterson’s son may have learned right from wrong — provided that someone can explain to the youngster that what Peterson did was wrong.

* Someone needs to explain to Vikings management and ownership what constitutes child abuse. Also, what constitutes bad public-relations moves.

* OK, can people stop trying to say how they were beaten worse as children than Peterson’s son was? Will those people simply say they think Peterson should be able to beat the crap out of his kids? And if they don’t think that, then they should say so rather than try to offer a lame quasi-excuse for Peterson’s behavior.

* If you want to defend Peterson’s right to corporal punishment, please remember that behavior was the type delivered to African-Americans during slavery.

* Radisson Hotels suspended its Vikings sponsorship. Here’s hoping that’s an action based on sincerity more than on publicity. Also hoping sponsors with a conscience will take the only action the league understands. Namely, something that involves economic consequences.

* At some point, NFL owners will realize there’s more to life than money and will take on social issues in a serious manner. Sorry, just kidding.

* If anyone has a moral compass, please send it to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Not that he and the league and the owners and teams’ management seem to be in any hurry to be looking for one themselves.

* So Ray Rice is gonna keep Adrian Peterson’s kids in line, and Peterson is gonna keep Rice’s wife in line. Is that about right, NFL?

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