[ot-caption title=”Adrian Peterson was indicted on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child on September 11, 2014. (via AP Photo/File)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/adrian-peterson1.jpg”]

The National Football League has experienced many controversies lately, and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s situation is the latest to join this buildup of media attention. On September 11, 2014, Peterson was indicted by a Montgomery County, Texas grand jury on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child that occurred on May 28, 2014. He has been accused of beating his four-year-old son repeatedly with a tree branch, or “switch,” causing severe welts and bleeding all over the child’s body. The Vikings immediately deactivated Peterson following the incident.

This occurrence has sparked much debate amongst those in the sports world.  Many believe that Peterson should never again be allowed to play in the NFL. Others believe that a father should be able to discipline his child the way he wants, especially since “switching” has been a common form of punishment for children for many years.

Peterson later issued a statement on Twitter, some of which includes the following:

“I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen. I know that many people disagree with the way I disciplined my child. I also understand after meeting with a psychologist that there are other alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate.

I have learned a lot and have had to reevaluate how I discipline my son going forward. But deep in my heart I have always believed I could have been one of those kids that was lost in the streets without the discipline instilled in me by my parents and other relatives. I have always believed that the way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as a man. I love my son and I will continue to become a better parent and learn from any mistakes I ever make.

I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury. No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that’s what I tried to do that day.

I accept the fact that people feel very strongly about this issue and what they think about my conduct. Regardless of what others think, however, I love my son very much and I will continue to try to become a better father and person.”

Peterson will now be facing a trial and will most likely not be able to play for the remainder of the season. This may even end in the same situation as the Ray Rice incident, in which Peterson will be released by his organization with the possibility of never playing again.

Source: NBC Sports