Adrian Peterson’s Suspension Upheld

The NFL has announced that arbitrator Harold Henderson has denied Vikings RB Adrian Peterson‘s appeal of his suspension.

Henderson explained his decision with the following statement:

The facts in this appeal are uncontested. The player entered a plea which effectively admitted to a criminal charge of child abuse, 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. His public comments do not reflect remorse or appreciations for the seriousness of his actions and their impact on his family, community, fans and the NFL, although at the close of the hearing he said he has learned from his mistake, he regrets that it happened and it will never happen again. I reject the argument that placement in Commissioner Exempt status is discipline. I conclude that the player has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent; he was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled, and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline. 

The grievance hereby is denied and the discipline is affirmed.

The NFL Players Association has released a response to today’s news regarding Peterson:

The NFLPA expected this outcome, given the hearing officer’s relationship and financial ties to the NFL. The decision itself ignores the facts, the evidence and the collective bargaining agreement. This decision also represents the NFL’s repeated failure to adhere to due process and confirms its inconsistent treatment of players. Our union is considering immediate legal remedies.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the plan now for Peterson is to take the case to federal court.

A league source tells Rapoport that if Peterson does what he’s supposed to do from now until April 15, he will be able to play in Week 1 of the 2015 season.

Peterson was indicted in a child abuse months ago, but he wound up accepting a no-contest plea. The Vikings wound up placing him on commissioner’s exempt list during his legal case.

After Peterson has accepted the plea deal, the NFL made the decision to suspend Peterson without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season weeks ago.

Albert Breer points out that Peterson will end up missing 15 games and lose $4.147 million as a result of the child-abuse case.

Peterson, soon to be 30, still has another three years remaining on his seven-year, $96 million contract that included $36 million guaranteed. Although, the Vikings will have to decide if Peterson is worth the $11.75 million he stands to make next year.