Vikings GM Spielman: 'Whether (Peterson) went too far is the court's decision to make'
Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was tasked with defending the organization's decision to allow Adrian Peterson to re-join the football team in wake of his indictment on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child.
Spielman explained that it was an organizational decision to hold Peterson out of Week 2's loss, but now that they have gathered more information, the belief is that he "deserves to play" through the process and they will let the court decide if "he went too far."
Spielman: "We feel very strongly as an organization that this is disciplining a child."
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingESPN) September 15, 2014
Reporters at Winter Park weren't unanimously satisfied by Spielman, or the organization's stance.
"What part of those photos don't tell you it's abuse," Rick Spielman is asked. He stresses Peterson's right to due process.
— Cindy Boren (@CindyBoren) September 15, 2014
Head coach Mike Zimmer was also on hand, and although he deferred most of his questions regarding the All-Pro tailback, he did say he anticipates Peterson will be at practice all week.
Zimmer: "You sign up for everything when you become a head coach. You sign up for the good days and the bad days."
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingESPN) September 15, 2014
Peterson also released a statement Monday, admitting he caused his son's injuries but did not intend to.