Embattled running back Adrian Peterson spoke to USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero in an exclusive interview Thursday.
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00:02 Adrian Peterson passed on talking and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell 00:06 the leaks outside experts last week. But he did talk extensively 00:10 with me on Thursday. He said he's reconnect with a four 00:14 year old son who he injured while discipline them in May. 00:17 He hopes to see that son in person soon and you'll 00:20 never uses switch. On one of his children again. But also 00:24 talk some football Peterson said he's in great shape has been 00:27 working Allah personal trainer and still holds out hope of playing 00:30 this season for the vikings are right now. Its primary focus 00:34 on getting his life back to normal. And it is family 00:37 back together. Peterson was clearly not happy with you Dell's decision 00:42 to not only criticize his supposed lack of meaningful remorse. But 00:45 also to put that in a letter that was made public. 00:48 In announcing the suspension on Tuesday. Peterson said he immediately apologized 00:53 to avoid that he has expressed remorse. After pled no contest 00:57 to a misdemeanor reckless assault charge you also disagreed with you 01:01 dealt dismissal of the credential the woman who is evaluated Peterson. 01:04 Genius sought counseling from multiple people as he tries to put 01:08 his life back together. My conversation that Peterson came on the 01:11 same data the NFL players association. Officially filed their appeal. Of 01:17 his suspension criticizing the league's process. And demanding neutral arbitration. The 01:22 fight between the league and the union continues to get uglier 01:26 Peterson made clear which side he's on scenic tours up to 01:29 8 PM. All personal conduct discipline would be handled by a 01:33 neutral arbitrator. We still are likely headed to court battle before 01:38 all this is said and done but for now Peterson's still 01:41 remains on the exempt list where he is getting paid. While 01:45 its appeal is pending.
Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomed Adrian Peterson into the league at the NFL draft in 2007, and now he is suspending the running back for the remainder of the season.(Photo: Justin Kase Conder, USA TODAY Sports)
Roger Goodell has sworn he'll do whatever it takes to "get it right" when it comes to the NFL's handling of domestic abuse cases.
Here's his chance.
In a wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero on Thursday night, Adrian Peterson repeatedly expressed remorse, both for whipping his young son and other choices he's made as a parent.
Peterson said he's working with both a therapist and a pastor who is certified in counseling. He said he's willing to sit down with the NFL commissioner and tell him all of this and probably more.
So now it's Goodell's turn.
Arrange a meeting with Peterson and the NFLPA and work together to figure out an adequate and appropriate punishment that won't prompt another flurry of court filings or drag this ugly mess into next year. Because not only is Goodell's heavy-handed way of handling things not any better than his previous indifference, it's not doing anybody any good: Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings or the NFL.
Yes, revisiting Peterson's suspension so quickly would require Goodell to set aside some of his ego. In suspending Peterson for the rest of the season earlier this week, Goodell seemed to be as much in a snit over the running back not kowtowing to his disciplinary process as he was Peterson beating his son.
But this isn't about Goodell. It's not really even about Peterson, either. Or Ray Rice or Greg Hardy.
It's about finding common ground so the NFL can give victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence the support and protection they need while making sure players get the treatment and education necessary so they never commit these heinous crimes again. Or, better yet, don't commit them in the first place.
That's what matters that's all that matters. But the acrimony and distrust between the NFL and the union has made compromise seemingly impossible, and the result is suspensions that are little more than smokescreens (from the NFL) and self-righteous indignation that is misplaced (from the union).
Both can do better. They must.
Unless, that is, they'd rather spend the next several months squabbling in legal showdowns.
PHOTOS: Adrian Peterson through the years
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