Adrian Peterson Claims He Has Considered Retiring from the NFL

Adrian Peterson said he considered retiring on Friday after the NFL announced his appeal from an indefinite suspension was denied. But according to ProFootballTalk, the running back will be back on the field next season. 

Peterson Will Play in 2015

Sunday, Dec. 14

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, Adrian Peterson plans to return to the gridiron next season:

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Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Peterson plans to play in 2015.  The lawsuit to be filed as soon as Monday will be aimed at securing his full reinstatement for the offseason; currently, he is eligible for reinstatement as of April 15.

If Peterson is eligible to return before the start of the league year in March, he’ll have much greater flexibility — especially if he ultimately decides to try to leave Minnesota and play for a new team. He previously has suggested that it could be time to move on from the Vikings. Eventually, it will be known whether the Vikings feel the same way.

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Peterson Considered Retirement 

Friday, Dec. 12

Adrian Peterson is willing to fight the NFL, even if it could mean the end of his playing career.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello revealed on Friday that Peterson's appeal of his indefinite suspension was denied:

Following that decision, Peterson weighed whether or not to retire from the league altogether in the event a potential lawsuit jeopardizes his possible reinstatement, as he told ESPN.com's Ben Goessling:

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I've considered retiring from the NFL. I still made $8 million dollars this year. I've thought about getting back into the real estate (business in Texas) I'm already in. That's something I've been interested in, something I'm involved in. I've thought about getting back into that. I've thought about going after the Olympics -- you only live once.

It might be time for me to pursue that, as well. I love playing football, don't get me wrong, but this situation is deeper than that.

For me, it's like, "Why should I continue to be a part of an organization or a business that handles players the way they do? Making money off the field anyway, why not continue to pursue that (Olympic) dream and pursue other dreams and hang up the cleats?

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In questioning the handling of his appeal, Peterson compared how the league's reacted following the Ray Rice situation, per ESPN.com:

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I feel like they're handling the situation absolutely wrong. I think I've been made an example out of. It kind of baffles me how -- I have nothing but love for Ray Rice, I'm happy he has the chance to play.

But it's like, how did Ray Rice get reinstated before me, a team has a chance to pick him up, but I don't have the opportunity to come back until April. When has that happened in any other case in the NFL, ever?

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The NFL Players Association said that it is "considering immediate legal remedies" after the denial of Peterson's appeal, per Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune in Minneapolis:

Peterson hasn't played a game since the Vikings' Week 1 win over the St. Louis Rams. The NFL placed the 29-year-old on the commissioner's exempt list after allegations that he abused his son. Peterson pleaded no contest to the charges, agreeing to perform community service and pay a $4,000 fine.

Retirement would be an extreme step for one of the best players in the game, but Peterson's also reached a point in his career where he could walk away from the game without major consequences. He's made more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life, and he'd seemingly have statistics worthy of the Hall of Fame if his career ended right now.

Related Adrian Peterson Content

• Peterson Loses Suspension Appeal
• Peterson Suspended by NFL