Not many people a year ago knew anything about the Commissioner’s Exempt List. Adrian Peterson was placed on this seldom-used list last season while he dealt with the personal indictment for spanking his four-year-old son.
The public over time has viewed the pictures. Some of the Vikings’ sponsors even pulled out rather than associate with the team after the charges. Still others, led by Governor Mark Dayton, demanded the Vikings separate themselves from Peterson.
After coming off that list with six weeks left in the 2014 season, having won a no-contest decision on the indictment, Peterson was suspended by Roger Goodell until April 15, 2015. Peterson, through the NFLPA, challenged and won his appeal of the decision made by an arbitrator of the decision made by Goodell. A federal court ruling by Judge David Doty ended the suspension.
However, the NFL then appealed that decision, and now finally Peterson, the face of the franchise, is active again after missing 15 games in 2014. The Vikings are welcoming him back. They have been telling all that Peterson has a three-year contract that they will honor this season.
Peterson’s agent, Ben Dogra, has been speaking on Peterson’s behalf, saying that Peterson does not want to return to the Vikings. He has not been around his teammates in over a year. He has gotten married for the first time and according to sources has been doing the required community service that is a part of his “no-contest agreement.”
His image has taken a few blows. It seems everyone has strong opinions about Peterson, who still believes his actions were not intended to harm his child. And he feels like the Vikings management did not support him.
Peterson has obviously been about the business of moving forward. He’s been misunderstood. Many think he should just walk back in to the Vikings no questions asked and continue his career as if nothing happened — just play ball. That is obviously not realistic.
Some others believe the former NFL MVP’s career is Hall of Fame-bound and he should get back to the business of football. Both sides have been wounded by the controversy of the events of last year.
Over the next month, with the Draft coming April 30, we will be watching closely the next chapter in the drama that is the career of Adrian Peterson. In the meantime, the Vikings (OTA’s team) workouts start this week and Adrian Peterson is not expected to report. Workouts are voluntary.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday-Friday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.