Adrian Peterson’s appeal hearing has been set for Tuesday, Dec. 2, according to a report from FOX NFL reporter Jay Glazer.
Breaking: Adrian Peterson's appeal hearing has been set for 12/2 and Harold Henderson, NOT Roger Goodell, will be the hearing officer
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 21, 2014
Peterson was suspended for the remainder of the season and beyond. Unless he wins the appeal, he won’t be up for reinstatement until April 15, 2015.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has apparently accepted the Players Association’s request that he not be involved in the hearing. The NFLPA’s letter of appeal called Goodell’s punishment “unprecedented, arbitrary and unlawful.” The letter also demanded an independent, neutral arbitrator for Peterson’s case.
“Moreover, given the intense criticism that you and the League office have faced from NFL business partners, Congress, the media, NFL fans and the public at large and the public pronouncements and commitments you have personally made in response to this criticism, it is clear that you have, by your actions, rendered yourself evidently partial and biased in this matter.”
Goodell has the option of hearing it himself or handing it off. Henderson is a retired former member of NFL who ran management council.
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 21, 2014
The Star Tribune’s Matt Vensel notes that Henderson most recently heard the appeal, and upheld the suspension Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon will return from this weekend. Gordon missed 10 games due to suspension.
If Peterson wins the appeal, he could return to play for the Vikings for the final four regular season games, beginning Dec. 7 against the Jets, according to Pro Football Talk.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen was the first to report that Peterson’s hearing would be scheduled for Dec. 2.
Peterson gave USA Today Sports an exclusive interview that was published late Thursday. In it, the all-pro running back said he will never discipline his children with a switch again.
