Monday's Sports In Brief
NFL
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Vikings have seen the details. They have seen photos of the injuries that Adrian Peterson's 4-year-old son suffered at the hands of the star running back. They have a history of punishing players who have run into trouble with the law.
The Vikings brought Peterson back to the team anyway even as the public furor over the NFL's approach to addressing domestic abuse reached a fever pitch.
The Vikings reinstated Peterson one day after he sat out a 30-7 home loss to the New England Patriots after he was charged with a felony in Texas for using a wooden switch to spank his son. Peterson, who said he was using a form of discipline his father used on him as a boy, is expected to play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
MINNETONKA, Minnesota (AP) - The Radisson hotel chain is suspending its sponsorship of the Minnesota Vikings after star running back Adrian Peterson was charged with child abuse in Texas.
In a statement, Minnetonka-based Radisson, part of the family owned hospitality and travel company Carlson, said it ''takes this matter very seriously particularly in light of our long-standing commitment to the protection of children.''
Radisson's sponsorship includes a press banner that is behind those speaking at Vikings news conferences. The banner was behind Vikings general manager Rick Spielman as he discussed the team's decision to reinstate Peterson after benching him for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.
NEW YORK (AP) - The players' union plans to appeal the indefinite suspension the NFL handed to Ray Rice last week.
NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah told The Associated Press ''we are expecting to appeal before the deadline on Tuesday night.'' That deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Rice originally was suspended two games under the NFL's personal conduct policy for striking his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator. When videotape of that incident was made public and showed Rice punching his now-wife Janay, knocking her unconscious, the Baltimore Ravens released the running back.
Almost immediately after that, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made Rice's suspension indefinite.
NEW YORK (AP) - Three experts in domestic violence will serve as consultants to the NFL.
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams announcing that Lisa Friel, Jane Randel and Rita Smith will work as ''senior advisers.'' They will ''help lead and shape the NFL's policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault,'' he wrote.
Goodell has been under heavy criticism for his handling of the domestic abuse case involving star running back Ray Rice. Rice was initially suspended for two games. Goodell at first defended the punishment, but more than a month later, he told owners he ''didn't get it right'' and that first-time domestic violence offenders would face a six-game suspension going forward.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh insisted that public pressure will not sway his decision to play Ray McDonald during an investigation into the defensive lineman's arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.
Harbaugh said there ''could be'' a resolution in the case this week for McDonald, arrested at his home Aug. 31 while celebrating his 30th birthday with teammates and friends.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera on Sunday benched defensive end Greg Hardy for the team's 24-7 win over Detroit after he was active in Week 1. Hardy was convicted July 15 of assault on a female and communicating threats. He is appealing.
McDonald has played and started both games so far for San Francisco (1-1), which lost 28-20 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.
GOLF
WINDEMERE, Fla. (AP) - Tiger Woods is too busy in the gym to find a new swing coach, or even swing a golf club.
Woods said his strength has returned and he is on schedule to resume competition in December. But he still hasn't hit a golf ball since he missed the cut at the PGA Championship on Aug. 8, and still doesn't know when he will.
Woods had his fifth surgery in 20 years - this time on his back - and failed to win a PGA Tour event for the third time in the last five years.
BASEBALL
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Angels refused to indulge in champagne, cigars or self-congratulation after securing their first playoff spot in a half-decade. Their goals extend far beyond the mere formality they reached with yet another dominant victory over a division rival.
The Angels became the first team in the majors to clinch a postseason berth, with Matt Shoemaker pitching five-hit ball into the eighth inning of an 8-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Manager Mike Scioscia made his priorities clear when he arrived at his postgame news conference table and unceremoniously swept aside three Angels caps with postseason logos attached to their sides.
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon was suspended seven games and fined by Major League Baseball for making a lewd gesture and then bumping an umpire.
Papelbon said in a statement distributed by his agent that he would immediately begin serving the suspension, and that he regrets making contact with umpire Joe West on Sunday.
But the right-hander insisted he wasn't making a vulgar motion toward fans as he walked off the field to boos after giving up four runs in the ninth inning of Philadelphia's 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins. He apologized to Phillies fans in the statement.