NFL Lockout 2011: Adrian Peterson's 'Modern-Day Slavery'

In a recent interview with Doug Farrar of Yahoo sports, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had the audacity to compare his life to that of a slave. Peterson commented on the owner-player relationship, saying, “It's modern-day slavery, you know?”

Peterson feels, as many NFL players do, that they are under-paid and under-appreciated by the owners.

This interview was conducted shortly after the NFLPA decertified, so obviously tensions were high between owners and players, but Adrian Peterson’s comments were beyond ridiculous and insensitive. AP makes over $10 million dollars a year with his base salary alone.

To compare his life to someone who was treated like an animal or piece of machinery is sickening. Maybe someone should tell Peterson to pay attention next year when Black History Month rolls around.

I would like to think it was a heat-of-the-moment type comment, because I highly doubt Peterson would actually compare his life to that of a slave. But Peterson was right on one thing when he said, “People kind of laugh at that” (referring back to his slavery comment).

Yes, we are laughing at the fact that you make more in one year than 10 average Americans do in their lifetimes. But you have it rough?

I understand the NFL players want to be paid a fair wage based on how much money the NFL draws in, but choose your words carefully, AP. Until this point, the owners have appeared to be the selfish ones; however, with Peterson's comment the entire NFL is beginning to look like a collection of greedy, selfish men.

Let’s hope that the owners and the players can come to an agreement quickly and quietly so the fans do not have to hear about how “tough” their lives are.