NFL Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson Guilty Of Poor Judgement, Sense Of Invincibility

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By @Kristen_Fazio

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Before Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was crucified for allegedly causing injury to his four-year-old son using a switch, he was a NFL star with a clean, untainted image that could do no wrong.

We are all too familiar with the athlete falling from grace narrative, but it was hard not to be shell-shocked when the news of the allegations against Peterson first broke. In his seven seasons in the NFL, Peterson was known as one of the ‘good guys’ and his hallmark was his unbelievably strong handshake. After a devastating ACL and MCL tear in 2011, Peterson became the poster child for recovering from the injury. Athletes everywhere, professional and amateur, who suffered the same injury looked to him as a role model of hard work and determination.

From the outside, Peterson seemed to have his life in order after his other son was killed in 2013. Peterson often spoke of his faith and recently got married during the offseason. He has always been a player who seemed self-aware and did and said all the right things that a face of a franchise should. But that hasn’t been the case since he has been facing felony charges, and it has been very puzzling to say the least.

With his career hanging in the balance, one would think Peterson would be extremely apologetic for his actions, whether he thinks he did no wrong or not, but he continues to exhibit poor judgement. Peterson’s admission to “smoking a little weed” before a drug test is the definition of bad judgement — especially for someone determined to clear their name and resume their NFL career.

The thought of Peterson returning to the Vikings this season seems to be becoming increasingly slim, and it isn’t clear if the organization wants him back in the future. The average running back’s career declines after 30 years old, but Peterson has never been an average running back and still has a lot left in the tank. If Peterson is found not guilty, he may still end up being suspended by the NFL, presumably ending his 2014 season.

Whether it is a sense of invincibility or just faith that he will overcome another hardship in is life — and there have been many — Peterson must show that he understands it would be a privilege to continue his NFL career and also understand that off the football field he is in fact destructible and vulnerable.

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