The Minnesota Vikings are re-activating embattled star running back Adrian Peterson this week ahead of the Vikings clash with the Saints.
Peterson will fully participate in this week's practices and meetings and is expected to play this Sunday in New Orleans for the Saints home opener, as he deals off the field with a child abuse charge stemming from an incident in which he spanked his 4-year-old-son with a switch.
"Today's decision was made after significant thought, discussion and consideration. As evidenced by our decision to deactivate Adrian from yesterday's game, this is clearly a very important issue," Vikings' owners Zygi and Mark Wilf said in a statement released Monday. "On Friday, we felt it was in the best interests of the organization to step back, evaluate the situation, and not rush to judgment given the seriousness of this matter. At that time, we made the decision that we felt was best for the Vikings and all parties involved."
Now the Wilfs explain it's time to let legal process unfold.
"To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child," the Wilfs' statement continued. "At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action. This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing. Currently we believe we are at a juncture where the most appropriate next step is to allow the judicial process to move forward."
Late last week, the Vikings deactivated Peterson for this past Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, which Minnesota lost 30-7. Last Thursday, a Texas grand jury indicted Peterson on a felony charge of injury to a child, and Friday police issued an arrest warrant. Peterson turned himself into authorities Saturday in Texas and is now free on $15,000 bond.
Peterson is now also publicly addressing the situation for the first time, releasing his own statement apologizing, saying that he never meant to hurt his son and that he was disciplining the child the same way in which his parents disciplined him.
Peterson's statement reads in part:
"My attorney has asked me not to discuss the facts of my pending case. I hope you can respect that request and help me honor it. I very much want the public to hear from me but I understand that it is not appropriate to talk about the facts in detail at this time. Nevertheless, I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child.
I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen. I know that many people disagree with the way I disciplined my child. I also understand after meeting with a psychologist that there are other alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate.
I have learned a lot and have had to reevaluate how I discipline my son going forward. But deep in my heart I have always believed I could have been one of those kids that was lost in the streets without the discipline instilled in me by my parents and other relatives. I have always believed that the way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as a man. I love my son and I will continue to become a better parent and learn from any mistakes I ever make.
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.
I accept the fact that people feel very strongly about this issue and what they think about my conduct. Regardless of what others think, however, I love my son very much and I will continue to try to become a better father and person."
Peterson also apologized to his team and fans, as well as revealed that he has been cooperating with the investigation for some time without legal representation:
"I never wanted to be a distraction to the Vikings organization, the Minnesota community or to my teammates. I never imagined being in a position where the world is judging my parenting skills or calling me a child abuser because of the discipline I administered to my son.
I voluntarily appeared before the grand jury several weeks ago to answer any and all questions they had. Before my grand jury appearance, I was interviewed by two different police agencies without an attorney. In each of these interviews I have said the same thing, and that is that I never ever intended to harm my son. I will say the same thing once I have my day in court."
