The Vikings admitted they fumbled the ball when they decided to reinstate running back Adrian Peterson on Monday.
“We made a mistake,” Vikings owner/chairman Zygi Wilf said, “and we needed to get it right.”
The Vikings believe they got the situation right when they announced just before 1 a.m. Wednesday that Peterson had been placed on a rare exempt/commissioner’s permission list, which forces him to stay away from the team until the felony child abuse charges he’s facing in Montgomery County, Texas are resolved.
Zygi Wilf: "Adrian will be away from the team and focus on his personal situation." #Vikings #AdrianPeterson
— Bring Me The News (@bringmethenews) September 17, 2014
https://twitter.com/GoesslingESPN/status/512274874082263040
The Star Tribune reports that the press conference, which included the Wilfs, General Manager Rick Spielman and Legal Counsel Kevin Warren, didn’t clarify whether Peterson will play again this season.
Simply put: Peterson will remain on the exempt list until his legal proceedings are completed.
What is the exempt list?
“Only the commissioner can grant that exemption,” Spielman said. “We worked very hard with Adrian and his agent, Ben Dogra, to work through this. This can only be granted in unique cases.”
When will he be allowed to play again?
His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 8. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio says Peterson will try to resolve the legal process as fast as he can.
“Of course, this now gives prosecutors extreme leverage. With Peterson hopeful to put this behind him so that he can get back to football, he will be more likely to plead guilty to the current charge or a lesser offense in order to put this situation behind him and to return to the NFL. While a suspension under the personal-conduct policy surely is looming once the situation ends, the sooner Peterson ends the situation, the sooner he gets suspended and returns to football.”
Peterson could still be suspended by the NFL.
Will Peterson continue getting paid?
Yes. As first reported by ESPN’s Ed Werder, Peterson will make his full salary this season – $11.75 million.
Peterson will earn $691,000 per week while on leave. Carry on.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) September 17, 2014
Is his career with the Vikings over?
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings hope to bring Peterson back when his legal matters are resolved.
Whether Adrian Peterson plays again this year will depend on when legal case is resolved. But Vikings intend to bring him back, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2014
Did sponsorship fallout play a role?
Multiple team sponsors, including Radisson, either ended or threatened to end partnerships with the Vikings following the reinstatement of Peterson. Mark Wilf said the mounting pressure from sponsors didn’t play a role in the team’s change-of-mind.
On Wednesday, Nike suspended it’s endorsement contract with Peterson, saying it “in no way condones child abuse or domestic violence of any kind.”
Nike suspends Adrian Peterson's endorsement contract. DETAILS http://t.co/YTDeHZ1j8K
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 17, 2014
Vikings big corporate sponsor, US Bank, says it agrees with team's decision.
— Access Vikings (@AccessVikings) September 17, 2014
