Vikings Make Inexcusable Move, Send Wrong Message by Activating Adrian Peterson

We know what Adrian Peterson did.

We know Adrian Peterson admitted "using a switch" to "discipline his son," according to his lawyer's statement (via ESPN via Twitter).

The beating "allegedly resulted in numerous injuries to his four-year-old son, including cuts and bruises to the child’s back, buttocks, ankles, legs and scrotum, along with defensive wounds," per Nick Wright of CBS Houston.

Those who've seen the leaked evidence, including pictures of the child's many wounds, can't come to any other conclusion.

Legally, Peterson is entitled to due process: His case will wind its way through the system. Per Michael McCann of Sports Illustrated, if Peterson does not plead guilty to a lesser offense, he could have a trial within 180 days—or longer, should his legal team choose to file certain pretrial motions.

But before a jury of the most corporal-punishment friendly state in the nation, per McCann, tries to determine Peterson's mental state at the time of the beating, he will suit up and play NFL football.

Minnesota Vikings owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf released a statement Monday on the team's official site announcing Peterson's imminent return to the lineup this week:

"

Today’s decision was made after significant thought, discussion and consideration. As evidenced by our decision to deactivate Adrian from yesterday’s game, this is clearly a very important issue. On Friday, we felt it was in the best interests of the organization to step back, evaluate the situation, and not rush to judgment given the seriousness of this matter. At that time, we made the decision that we felt was best for the Vikings and all parties involved.

To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child. At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action. This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing. Currently we believe we are at a juncture where the most appropriate next step is to allow the judicial process to move forward.

"

With all due respect to Messrs. Wilf, their actions have shown exactly how seriously they take this matter: Not very.

At the tail end of one of the darkest weeks NFL football has ever seen, with the credibility of commissioner Roger Goodell and team owners being attacked on all sides (including by this columnist), the Vikings deactivated Peterson just long enough for him to surrender to Houston police, get booked and post bond, per Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

While Peterson's story was developing, the Carolina Panthers responded to mounting public pressure by deactivating defensive end Greg Hardy for Week 2. Hardy, convicted by a judge of assaulting his former girlfriend and threatening to kill her, per the Charlotte Observer, exercised his right to a jury trial.

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Hardy disputed her account of events, and the facts of the case were in doubt. Per the Charlotte Observer article, the "bench trial," which sometimes lasts minutes, went for 10 hours while all the witnesses were interviewed and evidence examined. Once the trial is scheduled, that process will play out all over again.

The Panthers had planned to play him all along, but fallout over the Ray Rice domestic violence incident seemed to change their minds.

"It was my decision," head coach Ron Rivera told reporters after Carolina's 24-7 victory over the Detroit Lions, "because it was in the best interest of the Carolina Panthers." When asked when Hardy would be returning to the lineup, Rivera said "he will play as we go through this process. Hopefully, we get it right."

Possible translation: "We want him for as many games as we can have him, but we'll sit him until we think the tempest has settled down."

By deactivating Hardy in Week 2, the Panthers sent a message: They don't really care if Hardy beat and threatened his girlfriend, but they care if we care.

The Vikings wouldn't even feign that level of interest.

Peterson will walk back into his job like he's done nothing wrong. If he gets as friendly a deal as Rice got in his domestic violence case, Peterson won't serve a day in jail.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

It's understandable for organizations to rally behind iconic players who are vital to their reputation and brand (see: the Ravens' PR wagon-circling around Rice). But teams have to understand when a player's actions have made them toxic. Though Peterson may have the loyalty of a few Vikings diehards no matter what he does, most NFL fans with a conscience don't have any desire to root for him right now.

Even if Peterson's brutal whipping of his own child isn't enough for head coach Mike Zimmer, or anyone else above him in the Vikings organization, to bench Peterson, they should know not to send the message they did: They don't really care if Adrian Peterson violently abused his four-year-old son, and they don't care if we care either.