Adrian Peterson would consider leaving NFL

Adrian Peterson would consider leaving NFL after appeal fails

Adrian Peterson’s appeal against his suspension from the NFL has been denied.
Harold Henderson, who was appointed by the NFL as an independent arbitrator, said there is no reason to think the suspension was unfair. “He was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled,” Henderson said in a statement, “and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline.”

Peterson is expected to take his appeal to federal court but said he would consider retirement if his suspension remains in place. He admits he has thought about running the 200m or 400m at the Olympics.
“I’ve considered retiring from the NFL,” Peterson told ESPN. “I still made $8m dollars this year. I’ve thought about getting back into the real estate I’m already in. That’s something I’ve been interested in, something I’m involved in. I’ve thought about getting back into that. I’ve thought about going after the Olympics – you only live once. It might be time for me to pursue that, as well. I love playing football, don’t get me wrong, but this situation is deeper than that. For me, it’s like, ‘Why should I continue to be a part of an organization or a business that handles players the way they do? Making money off the field anyway, why not continue to pursue that [Olympic] dream and pursue other dreams and hang up the cleats?’”
Peterson was suspended by the NFL earlier this season after he was indicted on felony charges for hitting his four-year-old son with a switch. He was fined $4,000 fine and serve 80 hours of community service. Under the conditions of Peterson’s NFL suspension he could miss the rest of this season, as well as the first three games of 2015.
“The facts in this appeal are uncontested. The player entered a plea which effectively admitted guilt to a criminal charge of child abuse,” Henderson wrote. “After inflicting serious injuries to his four-year old son in the course of administering discipline. No direct evidence of the beating was entered in the record here, but numerous court documents, investigative reports, photographs and news reports, all accepted into evidence without objection, make it clear that Mr Peterson’s conduct was egregious and aggravated as those terms are used in the Policy, and merits substantial discipline.
Henderson added that Peterson’s comments about the case “do not reflect remorse or appreciation for the seriousness of his actions.”
Peterson was the league’s MVP in 2012, rushing for over 2,000 yards. He has played just one game this season and the Minnesota Vikings have struggled in his absence, with a record of 6-7.
Peterson’s suspension comes at a time when the league has been plagued by cases of domestic abuse. The former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice recently had his indefinite suspension lifted after he knocked out his partner in an Atlantic City casino.