This makes no sense!
The NFL is just a clusterf*ck of bad decisions lately and this one is the latest.
Last week, the league indefinitely suspended former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice, after a video surfaced of him knocking out his wife in an elevator. THEN star running back for the Minnesota Vikings, Adrian Peterson, was indicted in Texas for child abuse.
The Vikings benched him for the weekend, but has now reinstated him post-game.
Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf gave a statement about their choice, saying:
“As evidenced by our decision to deactivate Adrian from yesterday’s game, this is clearly a very important issue. On Friday, we felt it was in the best interests of the organization to step back, evaluate the situation, and not rush to judgment given the seriousness of this matter. At that time, we made the decision that we felt was best for the Vikings and all parties involved.
To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child. At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action. This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing. Currently we believe we are at a juncture where the most appropriate next step is to allow the judicial process to move forward.”
We definitely believe that people deserve due process, however, the Vikings have set a precedent with their players, previously suspending cornerback Chris Cook with pay when he was accused of assaulting his girlfriend. He was acquitted, and returned to team activities after missing 10 games.
Also, Peterson ADMITTED to “whooping” his 4-year-old son with a “switch,” and the photos show that it left significant damage to the boy’s arm and thigh.
We have to wonder if he’d done that to one of his baby mommas, instead of a child, would the Vikings be singing a different tune?
We’d hope so, but it would also be great if the league could just stay consistent!
Everyone deserves their day in court, but violence is violence, and if there’s proof of it, then why do these men get to live out their dreams of playing football daily in the meantime?
It just doesn’t make sense.
[Image via WENN.]
