NFLPA Releases Statment About Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson has one goal after he plea bargained on Nov. 4 to a misdemeanor. His goal is to be reinstated into the NFL. There has been a lot of talk about Adrian Peterson supposedly missing a meeting with the NFL. Some have already jumped the gun and where critical of him before doing any further investigation. There are reports that he avoided meeting with the NFL on Friday. The NFLPA released a statement on Adrian Peterson’s behalf. Here is the statement in full:

STATEMENT RELEASED ON BEHALF OF ADRIAN PETERSON

The report that I backed out of a meeting with the NFL is just not true. When Roger Goodell’s office asked that I attend the “hearing” on Friday, I consulted with my union and learned that this “hearing” was something new and inconsistent with the CBA. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this past week, my union sent emails, letters, and had conversations with his office on my behalf asking about the nature of the hearing, how it was to occur, who would participate, and its purpose. We repeatedly asked them to respond quickly to my questions because I want to cooperate and get back on the field, but they didn’t respond until late Wednesday evening, and even then they didn’t answer important questions about their proposed “hearing.”

After consulting with the union, I told the NFL that I will attend the standard meeting with the Commissioner prior to possible imposition of discipline, as has been the long-term practice under the CBA, but I wouldn’t participate in a newly created and non-collectively bargained pre-discipline “hearing” that would include outside people I don’t know and who would have roles in the process that the NFL wouldn’t disclose.  At this point, I’ve resolved my matter in the criminal court; I’ve worked to make amends for what I’ve done; I’ve missed most of the season, and I stand ready to be candid and forthcoming with Mr. Goodell about what happened. However, I will not allow the NFL to impose a new process of discipline on me, ignore the CBA, ignore the deal they agreed to with me, and behave without fairness or accountability.  The process they are pushing is arbitrary, inconsistent, and contrary to what they agreed to do, and for those reasons, I never agreed to the hearing.

I’m sorry for all of this, but I can’t excuse their refusal to be fair.

– Adrian Peterson

As of right now, Adrian Peterson is still seeking reinstatement into the NFL. The NFLPA filed a grievance on his behalf. Peterson has been on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list since the second week of the season. Peterson is still able to collect his pay of $691,000 while being on the exempt list. Whether or not he plays this season remains unseen.