NFL Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson Should Have Chance For Redemption With Child Abuse Case Settled

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By @MrAnderson035

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past few months, the pubic perception of one of the best NFL players — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson — has changed dramatically. Peterson was once known as one of the nicest and most respected players in a league quickly becoming full of bad characters. All that came crashing down once we learned that Peterson was charged for abusing his 4-year-old son in May. In the incident, Peterson used a switch to discipline his son, leaving highly visible welts on the boy’s lower body. Nasty pictures of the wounds would soon surface and his reputation took a nose dive in the public eye and among his peers.

Over the last few months, a lot has happened involving Peterson. Many questions would arise regarding the child abuse issue. People began to wonder if his family would be able to endure the pain and what the future would hold for his once glorified NFL career. In a room full of adults, it’d be hard to find one person who would come to Peterson’s defense, especially those who have children of their own. Still, does that mean everyone should turn their backs on the running back and man we once admired?

After all the dust settled, Peterson was hit with a plea deal, which would require no jail time and some community service. Most may say they would have expected a harsher punishment, but those people don’t know the pain this man has gone through over the past few months. I personally do not condone anyone putting their hands on their children, especially to draw blood or to leave welts on their skin. What I do understand is that all people were not raised the same, and the way some of us handle disciplining our children will ultimately differ.

With everything now behind Peterson, I think it would be fair to give him a second chance — both in life and on the football field. His wife and son still love him, and I’m sure that’s all that matters to him at this point — aside from getting back to the game he loves. We all make mistakes, and even though some of our mistakes may not be a large as the next person, it is still a mistake nonetheless. Peterson isn’t a repeat offender and he surely doesn’t seem like a father who truly wants to bring bodily harm to his son. If you believe otherwise, then you must also believe that Peterson is a psychopath. Only someone who is clearly out of their mind would want to continually bruise, bloody and batter their young child.

By coming to the aid of Peterson, I’m certainly not saying that he deserves to have his slate wiped clean. No one will forget the damage he’s done, but we should forgive him and grant him a chance to bounce back. Some people are calling for this man’s life to fall to pieces in front of the world. They want him to continue his life without his family and job. Those people are completely clueless and are especially cruel in my opinion. Peterson will do what he has to do to put the horror behind him, and there shouldn’t be any reason for anyone to be wishing failure upon him. I believe that now is the time for us think hard, dig deep and find something within ourselves that will allow us to get behind Peterson in hopes that he has become a new man after such a tragic incident.

Brian Anderson is an NBA writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrAnderson035 “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your networkon Google.

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