Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s two-year old son died on Friday from injuries that he suffered from allegedly being beaten and abused.
Peterson’s son, whose name hasn’t been released, was initially in critical condition when he was in the hospital. He had head injuries that were connected to abuse. Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, who was in a relationship with the kid’s mother, has been charges with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault. Both charges are felonies, and if Patterson is convicted he could face up to 40 years in prison and be fined $80,000, according to CNN. Patterson’s bail is set at $750,000.
Peterson will play on Sunday when the Viking play the Carolina Panthers, according to Fox Sports.
"I plan on playing Sunday. I will be playing Sunday, let me correct that. Be ready to roll, focused and ready to get a 'W' on Sunday, being 1-0” Peterson said, notes Fox Sports. Peterson has thanks the fans who have been supporting him through this difficult time.
"I want to start off by saying I really appreciate all the support that I’ve been receiving from fans, the Vikings organization," Peterson said. "This is a private matter and I would ask y’all to please just respect my privacy and not ask at all about the situation at hand."
Peterson, the 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player, is second in the league with 421 yards rushing and first in the league with five touchdowns. Nothing could help ease the pain of Peterson’s son death better than a Vikings victory with Peterson playing on Sunday.