Adrian Peterson Releases New Statement, Says He Is ‘Without A Doubt, Not A Child Abuser’

shameshame

Adrian Peterson wrote like a man who couldn’t quite believe the situation he’d found himself in:

I never wanted to be a distraction to the Vikings organization, the Minnesota community or to my teammates. I never imagined being in a position where the world would be judging my parenting skills or calling me a child abuser because of the disciplined I administered to my son.

The star running back released those words as part of a statement that hit the public today, shortly after he was reinstated by the Minnesota Vikings following a run-in with the law over chargers of child abuse.

As part of the statement, 29-year-old Peterson said he could not discuss the facts of his case but, nonetheless, made was adamant that he is not a child abuser.

He claims he was applying the very parenting techniques that prevented him from being “lost” as a child.

I know that many people disagree with the way I disciplined my child. I also understand after meeting with a psychologist that there are alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate…

But deep in my heart I have always believed I could have been one of those kids that was lost in the streets without the discipline instilled in me by my parents and other relatives.

Peterson’s full statement can be found below:


My attorney has asked me not to discuss the facts of my pending case. I hope you can respect that request and help me honor it. I very much want the public to hear from me but I understand that it is not appropriate to talk about the facts in detail at this time. Nevertheless, I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child.

I never wanted to be a distraction to the Vikings organization, the Minnesota community or to my teammates. I never imagined being in a position where the world is judging my parenting skills or calling me a child abuser because of the discipline I administered to my son.

I voluntarily appeared before the grand jury several weeks ago to answer any and all questions they had. Before my grand jury appearance, I was interviewed by two different police agencies without an attorney. In each of these interviews I have said the same thing, and that is that I never ever intended to harm my son. I will say the same thing once I have my day in court.

I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen. I know that many people disagree with the way I disciplined my child. I also understand after meeting with a psychologist that there are other alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate.

I have learned a lot and have had to reevaluate how I discipline my son going forward. But deep in my heart I have always believed I could have been one of those kids that was lost in the streets without the discipline instilled in me by my parents and other relatives. I have always believed that the way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as a man. I love my son and I will continue to become a better parent and learn from any mistakes I ever make.

I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury. No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that’s what I tried to do that day.

I accept the fact that people feel very strongly about this issue and what they think about my conduct. Regardless of what others think, however, I love my son very much and I will continue to try to become a better father and person.


Peterson is eligible to play in the Vikings’ next game against the New Orleans Saints.

H/T: SportsCenter , Photo Credit: Getty Images

Read more: http://elitedaily.com/sports/adrian-peterson-releases-statement/757016/

Liked Liked
No Comments