Adrian Peterson and Society’s Reflection on an NFL Star

Tonight, I wanted to take a break from talking about the New York Jets to reflect on the major NFL news that was released yesterday.

For anyone who missed it, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson was reinstated by the NFL, rendering him eligible to participate in all NFL activities, as of today. The Vikings are ready to welcome Peterson back to their lineup, although we know the potential of a trade is on the table. Notable teams interested in Peterson’s services include the Cardinals and the Cowboys.

When I heard the Peterson news yesterday, I thought about the situation, what transpired, and the resolution. With that, I became a bit saddened. I was sad for society as a whole.

Don’t get me wrong, Goodell had no choice but to reinstate the star running back. After being beaten in court by Peterson and the NFLPA, adding any more time to the suspension would have been a waste of time. Peterson would have just gotten back together with the NFLPA, sued again, and likely won. It is not a surprise that Adrian Peterson was reinstated yesterday by the NFL. Any other decision just wouldn’t have been worth it.

I also believe in second chances.

I got to thinking about what is next for Adrian Peterson. He will return to the league, jersey sales will resume, and he will surge to the top of fantasy drafts nation wide. Peterson will be cheered, no matter where he calls home in 2015, and he will receive accolades and honors for doing a job well done.

Then I thought about what Adrian Peterson did. He committed child abuse. Just hearing those two words sends shivers down my spine. Not only did Adrian Peterson abuse a child, he abused HIS OWN CHILD. Peterson committed one of the most heinous things a man, and a father, could ever do.

Yet, he gets to be revered once again.

What if Adrian Peterson was teaching eight grade mathematics at a middle school in Rochester, MN? What would we think of him then? We would be disgusted at the sound of his name on the news. His career would be over. Adrian Peterson would be kept away from ANY children for as long as the law would allow. Adrian Peterson would live a very different existence.

But instead, he will be revered and idolized. His name will be chanted, likely even by children.

If Adrian Peterson were a physician, and abused a child, we likely would never darken the doorways of his office ever again? If he were a coach of children? He wouldn’t be one any longer. Adrian Peterson would never have a job of that nature ever again. If Peterson were in a job of stature, other than an athlete, his life would never be the same again. He certainly wouldn’t be able to return to his profession with the same reputation that he had before he left.

But, an NFL athlete? As long as he can put up numbers, we really don’t care what he does outside the white lines. We are so numb to hearing athletes’ names on police blotters, we don’t even let it affect us anymore. In any other walk of life, Adrian Peterson’s existence would never be the same. His reputation within his job would be forever changed.

But Adrian Peterson will be forgiven once he steps back onto the gridiron, for the Vikings or anyone else.

Isn’t it sad that as a society, we hold athletes to a lower standard than we do everyone else? I do.

Thanks for listening to my frustrations.

Next: Throwback Thursday: Johnny Hector

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