The NFL Players Association decried Roger Goodell’s indefinite suspension of Adrian Peterson as unfair.
The commissioner indefinitely suspended the Minnesota Vikings running back on Tuesday morning. Peterson’s hiatus, according to the league, will last at least the rest of this season.
“The decision by the NFL to suspend Adrian Peterson is another example of the credibility gap that exists between the agreements they make and the actions they take,” the union announced in a statement. “Since Adrian’s legal matter was adjudicated, the NFL has ignored their obligations and attempted to impose a new and arbitrary disciplinary proceeding.”
The 2012 NFL MVP reached a plea agreement with Texas prosecutors on his child-abuse case earlier this month. The deal avoids a “child abuse” charge on the athlete’s record, reducing the crime to a misdemeanor assault and meting out a $2,000 fine and community service. Peterson sees no jail time. The NFL came down harder on Peterson than the criminal justice system in terms of money and banishment from its society within the larger society.
The NFLPA vows to contest the punishment, which denies Peterson at least $4.2 million in pay. The union contends, “The facts are that Adrian has asked for a meeting with Roger Goodell, the discipline imposed is inconsistent and an NFL executive told Adrian that his time on the Commissioner’s list would be considered as time served.”