While Adrian Peterson’s child abuse case is settled in the eyes of the law, the NFL said Tuesday morning that the Minnesota Vikings running back will be suspended for the remainder of the 2014 season for violating the personal conduct policy.
Peterson and Texas prosecutors reached a plea deal on Nov. 4. Peterson pleaded guilty to child abuse charges stemming from the beating of his 4-year-old son in Houston. In exchange, he will do 80 hours of community service and pay a $4,000 fine.
While Peterson did play in Week 1, he had been on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission list since Sept. 17, which meant that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had to make the ultimate decision on his reinstatement. Apparently, since the Vikings were still paying Peterson his salary during that time, Goodell didn’t consider missing the past two months as “time served.”
According to NFL.com, Peterson won’t be considered for reinstatement again until April 15. Sources for ESPN said that Peterson will appeal the suspension right away.
“The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision. Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions,” Goodell wrote in a letter sent to Peterson. “We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you to succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement. You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children, and have no further violations of law or league policy.”
Peterson’s endorsement deals with Nike, Castrol and EpiPen were all dropped after Peterson was charged with child abuse.
image courtesy of Roger Wong/INFphoto.com