Former Viking Chris Kluwe: Adrian Peterson needs to own up to his mistakes

While all the talk about Adrian Peterson continues to circle around where he'll play next season, one former teammate wants him to take responsibility for his actions.

Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who played with Peterson from 2007-2012, says the running back needs to understand he did something wrong, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

"Obviously, AP can still play, but I think he needs to show that he understands he did something wrong and that he wants to work to change that, which I don't know that he's really shown yet," Kluwe said.

Peterson was charged with child abuse in September and ended up pleading no contest to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless assault.

"I think there's blame to go around on both sides, but AP hasn't handled it particularly well," Kluwe said. "He's probably valid in thinking he didn't get some of the support that he thought he was going to get, but he's the one who made the mistakes and he's the one who needs to own up to it."

The Vikings supported the league in placing Peterson on the exempt list, and as a result the 30-year-old missed 15 games in 2014.

Kluwe's relationship with the Vikings isn't in great shape, either. He alleged Minnesota ultimately released him for his views on same-sex marriage, not his play on the field.

While Kluwe may not ever be able to mend fences with the Vikings, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel for Peterson.

"I think it's a messy situation that will probably only continue to get messier. But hopefully at some point, AP says, 'Hey, what I did was a mistake, here's how I'm working to change it,' so that he can be a positive role model for other people who might find themselves in the same situation."