A Disappointing Time in Vikings Nation

Daniel House explains his thoughts on Adrian Peterson's indictment and lays out what the steps should look like moving forward. 

Updated: September 13th, 2014 7:28pm

By: Daniel House

Yesterday morning Minnesota Vikings fans across the state woke up with Adrian Peterson as their favorite NFL player. Kids wore his jersey to school, looked up to him, and wanted to emulate every move #28 made. Just hours later, all of this was thrown into the air and blown away like a massive storm hitting the entire state of Minnesota. Child abuse and reckless negligence terms began to flow throughout internet media sources. People couldn't believe that the star and face of a franchise was set to be indicted for leaving switch marks all over his four-year-old child.

Football becomes a side subject and the focus needs to shift to the situation. Beating up children is something we aren't taught to do in this country. It doesn't matter if you're Adrian Peterson or a random guy that lives an everyday life like the rest of us. It is an unacceptable behavior where punishment is warranted, no matter the circumstances. There is no other athlete that is idolized more in the state of Minnesota than Adrian Peterson. He's had his small issues in the past that have repeatedly been overlooked. This time, there is no looking the other way or escaping this issue. Peterson injured his son and committed an act that should not be accepted in our society. I don't care about the past and how you may have been disciplined when you were a kid. Times have changes and this type of behavior is not acceptable.

I grew up watching Adrian Peterson play on the field and he was the Vikings player of my childhood decade. I've had the opportunity to be around Peterson on multiple occasions and I just can't get it through my head that one of the players I looked up to years ago has been indicted for injuring a child. It just doesn't seem real, but it is. It's just downright disappointing.

I'm proud of the Minnesota Vikings organization for deactivating Peterson and taking a stance on the issue. Ray McDonald and Greg Hardy are playing for the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers this week after committing acts of domestic violence. The Vikings will need to decide the best course of action, but it seems as if they league could do so for them. With the most recent week in the league and the backlash of the Ray Rice domestic violence case, the league is ready to throw down the hammer. Could the team decide to release Peterson and decide to head in another direction? Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti actually cut Ray Rice from their roster this week. What will the Wilfs do? I wouldn't be entirely surprised if they released him. By doing so, it certainly would send a message to players across the league. Everything needs to be investigated, but if all of the facts that are circulating are true, the Vikings have complete merit to release him. In my opinion, it seems likely he could be investigated and suspended indefinitely until the legal process plays out.

There are 1,300 players in this league and countless more who haven't had the chance to enter this league. I've seen it first hand. I've visually witnessed high character players who represent the NFL to the best of their abilities. Don't let a handful of players tarnish the way you look at this league.

Now it's time to focus on the players that will be on the field for tomorrow's game with the New England Patriots.