Peterson admits to hitting son 'with a belt' despite 2014 suspension

A 2014 charge of child abuse and a year-long suspension from the NFL apparently haven't dissuaded Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson from physically disciplining his children.

"I had to discipline my son and spank him the other day with a belt," Peterson told Bleacher Report's Master Tesfatsion in an article published Wednesday.

The 33-year-old says he also uses other disciplinary techniques, such as taking away their electronics, sending them to timeout, or having them do wall squats, but he insists spankings are a necessity, particularly for repeat offenses.

"There's different ways I discipline my kids. I didn't let that change me," Peterson said.

Peterson was charged with felony child abuse in 2014 for spanking his then four-year-old son with a "switch," a flexible branch used for corporal punishment, leaving the child with cuts and bruises. He was suspended for all but one game of the 2014 season by the NFL. On top of that, Peterson was given a court-issued two-year probation period, a $4,000 fine, and 80 hours of community service after submitting a no contest plea to a reduced charge of misdemeanor reckless assault.

Peterson's agent, Ron Slavin, issued a statement Wednesday night.

The Redskins play the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.