Peterson suspended for rest of 2014 season (and maybe more).

[Treehugger]

Adrian Peterson suspended without pay for rest of '14

• By Conor Orr
• Around The NFL Writer
• Published: Nov. 18, 2014 at 08:54 a.m.
• Updated: Nov. 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.

Adrian Peterson will not return to football in 2014.

 

The NFL announced Tuesday the Minnesota Vikings running back will be suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season, and cannot be considered for reinstatement before April 15, 2015. (To read the league's full statement, click here.)

 

Commissioner Roger Goodell expanded on his decision in the following letter to Peterson:

 

"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. 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, who stands accused of an "incident of abusive discipline" toward his 4-year-old son, has three days to mount an appeal, which the NFLPA indicates will happen. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Peterson plans to appeal, according to a source close to the running back. The All-Pro has made no secret about his desire to return to football as quickly as possible.

 

Peterson would continue to receive a paycheck and remain on the Commissioner's Exempt List during the appeal process.

He was most recently coming off a Monday hearing on his status on the exempt list, which opened the door for Wednesday's decision by the NFL. Barring a successful appeal, they will not get that chance until training camp in 2015.

 

Peterson will lose $4.2 million if he is suspended over the next six games and isn't owed any more guaranteed money, Rapoport added.

 

The NFL Players Association quickly released a statement about appealing the decision, calling the suspension "another example of the credibility gap that exists between the agreements they make and the actions they take." The NFLPA is also demanding that a neutral arbitrator oversee the process.

 

"We call on the NFL Management Council to show our players and our sponsors leadership by committing to collective bargaining so a fair personal conduct policy can be implemented as quickly as possible," the statement read.

 

The Vikings also briefly commented on the matter:

 

"The NFL has informed the Vikings of today's decision regarding Adrian Peterson. We respect the league's decision and will have no further comment at this time."

 

[Bonji]

Crap.

[Sephiroth]

They never should have given him that orange peanut.

[MikeGL]

His son wants to appeal, he doesn't want daddy at home

[Herc]

his son was probably wondering why that strange man was hitting him

[Treehugger]

his son was probably wondering why that strange man was hitting him

 

Sadly, you're probably right.

[BronxRik]

his son was probably wondering why that strange man was hitting him

That's bad, man. Hilarious, but bad.

[Herc]

The sad part is that I wasn't even really making a joke