NFL star Adrian Peterson suspended without pay for whipping four-year-old son

THE NFL has suspended Adrian Peterson without pay for the season after he whipped his son, four, in a case that sparked debate over corporal punishment.

FILE - This July 31, 2014, file photo shows Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson during NFL football training camp in Mankato, Minn. The NFL suspended Adrian Peterson without pay for at least the remainder of the season. The league said Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, it informed the Minnesota Vikings running back he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

MINNESOTA Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been suspended without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 season, the NFL said overnight.

Peterson pleaded no contest in Texas on Nov. 4 to misdemeanour reckless assault, down from a felony charge of child abuse for hitting his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch, in a case that ignighted public debate over corporal punishment of children in the US.

Peterson will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15, the league said in a statement, for violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy in an “incident of abusive discipline that he inflicted on his 4-year-old son.”

He received what’s essentially two years of probation, plus a $US4000 fine, a requirement to complete parenting classes and 80 hours of community service.

Peterson leaves court with his wife Ashley Brown Peterson in Conroe, Texas on October 8. Picture: AP

“The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counselling and treatment program set forth in this decision. Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated in a letter sent to Peterson.

“You have shown no meaningful remorse for your conduct. When indicted, you acknowledged what you did but said that you would not ‘eliminate whooping my kids’ and defended your conduct in numerous published text messages to the child’s mother.

The NFL said Peterson had shown no remorse for beating his son.

“You also said that you felt ‘very confident with my actions because I know my intent.’ These comments raise the serious concern that you do not fully appreciate the seriousness of your conduct, or even worse, that you may feel free to engage in similar conduct in the future.”

Peterson will appeal the decision, according to a scathing statement released by the NFL Players Association on his behalf.

At issue is the concept of time served while Peterson was on the commissioner’s exempt list — a de facto suspension with pay — since Week 2.

“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,” reads the statement from the union.

“Since Adrian’s legal matter was adjudicated, the NFL has ignored their obligations and attempted to impose a new and arbitrary disciplinary proceeding.”

Originally published as NFL star Adrian Peterson suspended without pay for whipping four-year-old son