Is "All Day" All Done in Minnesota?

U.S. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, left, commander, U.S. Pacific Command, poses for a picture with Adrian L. Peterson, a professional football player with the Minnesota Vikings, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, Feb. 10, 2008, during the pre-game ceremonies for the National Football League's 2008 Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl brings together the top players in the National and American Football Conferences. VIRIN: 080210-N-8623G-008 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To date, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings has rushed for more than 10,000 yards and scored 91 touchdowns as a running back, setting many team and NFL records.  From the moment he was taken in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, Peterson has been the man people thought of when they thought of the Vikings.  His image hung on giant-sized posters, cereal boxes, tickets, and an artist's rendering of what the new football stadium in Minneapolis would look like.

Peterson's football career right now is suddenly in jeopardy.  A grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas has indicted him with the accusation of physically abusing his four-year old son with a tree branch, also known as a switch.  Peterson faces up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine if he's convicted.

The Vikings responded by leaving Peterson out of their game Sunday against the New England Patriots, which they promptly lost 30-7.  Some of the fans at the University of Minnesota's stadium were wearing Peterson jerseys in support.  One woman thought it would be hilarious to come to the game wearing Number 28 while holding a wooden stick.  One wonders if she regrets it today.

On Monday, it was announced that the Vikings have reinstated Peterson, who will be in the lineup for Sunday's game at New Orleans.  The NFL has yet to weigh in on this matter.

What were the Vikings thinking, you ask?  In a week that saw Ray Rice lose his job with the Baltimore Ravens over a video that showed him knocking his wife unconscious, the Vikings blew an opportunity to send the message that child abusers will not be tolerated.  Just like they've been slow to support gay rights or get drunk players off the road.

The Vikings and others may believe that Peterson is innocent until proven guilty, and that's certainly true.  In this climate, however, the charge of child abuse might be too much to overcome.  Peterson has said that he never intended to hurt his son, but the pictures purporting to show the child's injuries are nothing to gloss over.  Can you imagine what would have happened to Peterson if this were child sexual abuse?

Corporal punishment is legal in Texas, but it is no longer considered an appropriate form of punishment by most parents due to its bordering on child abuse.  Throughout history, whippings have been used as a way to keep certain people in line.  We would like to think that the human species have evolved from such barbarism.  But three beheadings by members of the Islamic State have proved us wrong.

Adrian Peterson should consider himself fortunate that the Vikings have chosen to take him back, at least temporarily.  Until a Texas jury renders a verdict, it will be impossible for him to go anywhere without the media following his every move and fans reminding him of what he's accused of.  It will also be difficult for us to see Peterson on the football field without thinking of the Pat Benatar song "Hell Is For Children".  All day and every day.

UPDATE (9/17):  The Vikings have just placed Peterson on the "Exempt/Commissioner's Permission" list, meaning he is no longer welcome to participate in team activities until his legal issues are settled. (But Peterson would still get paid, according to the team.)  In politics, this would be known as a "flip flop".  It seems the team was more motivated by companies who have either pulled their sponsorships, or were threatening to, than they were to the torrent of criticism laid down by commentators, politicians and ordinary fans alike.  Whatever the case, the Vikings hope this lessens the chances of this season being turned into All Drama, if it hasn't already.  And the players on the field can do a pretty good job of turning people's stomachs without Peterson in the lineup.