Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, wearing a gray suit with a purple tie, arrived at a federal courthouse in Minneapolis about 30 minutes before his 2 p.m. hearing with U.S. District Judge David Doty was scheduled to begin Friday.
A little more than an hour after the the hearing started, Peterson and representives from the NFL Players Association and the NFL walked out of the courtroom without an answer as to whether Peterson will remain suspended or be reinstated to the league. But Peterson did speak briefly, offering a comment that he felt like he finally got a fair hearing, ESPN’s Ben Goessling reports.
https://twitter.com/GoesslingESPN/status/563811559898484736
Hourlong Peterson hearing over in Minneapolis. Doty said he will "take under advisement" but offered to timetable for ruling. #vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphmedia_) February 6, 2015
Judge Doty: taking case under advisement. "I always like good arguments."
— Kelly Smith (@kellystrib) February 6, 2015
Peterson was not expected to testify at the hearing. Instead, the NFL Players Association was expected to represent him in a fight against the NFL to get his suspension overturned. ESPN notes that each side was provided a 30-minute window to argue its case.
NFLPA argues; Peterson wants to play for Vikings
Multiple reports suggest the union argued that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn’t have the authority to force Peterson to seek counseling following the child abuse case that resulted in the former MVP pleading guilty to a charge of misdemeanor reckless assault against this son.
AP's attorney: "couldn't be clearer" commissioner doesn't have authority to order he complete treatment
— Kelly Smith (@kellystrib) February 6, 2015
However, Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press has a source that informed him Peterson has already undergone psychological testing and parental counseling through the NFL.
Adrian Peterson says he wants to play for the Vikings… Hearing in federal court over pic.twitter.com/bK8TP8nQnu
— Trisha Volpe (@TrishaVolpe) February 6, 2015
If the suspension isn’t overturned, Peterson will not be eligible for reinstatement until at least April 15. It’s in the best interest of the Vikings that Peterson is reinstated before free agency begins March 10 in the event that Minnesota decides to part ways with him. Peterson, though, told the Star Tribune’s Kelly Smith that he wants to continue playing for the Vikings.
"I felt like I got a fair game", he said. Asked if he would like to stay with Vikings "of course."
— Kelly Smith (@kellystrib) February 6, 2015
NFLPA lawyer Jeffrey Kessler expects Judge Doty to rule on Peterson "promptly" — before new league year starts March 10 #vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphmedia_) February 6, 2015
On Thursday, Peterson’s father, Nelson Peterson, repeatedly told the Pioneer Press that their family is simply “trying to move forward.”
