Adrian Peterson

For those not in the know, Adrian Peterson was a former running back for the Minnesota Vikings. One of the best in the game. Probably on track to be in the Hall of Fame. It was derailed on the day he'd been accused of child abuse. He'd admitted to taking a switch to his child's legs and beating him for something the child did. He didn't get prosecuted for child abuse only causing the harm to another. Semantics.

I do NOT believe in this type of behavior in the least, but it seems lately...punishment through the public justice system is extending its way also into a man's livelihood. I often wonder, in a situation like this, if at a certain point the public doesn't realize what ending his career may do. I'm not sure what AP studied in college, nor could he ever get a job outside of pro sports that would allow him that much money, but chances are there are limited opportunities to earn that much in short amount of time. This is to support his family. Again, I think it was wrong for what he did, but now...because of John Q. Public, he is suspended for the rest of the season, without a paycheck.

I'm really not sure what the solution is here, but I can say...because of the pressure of opinion, we've really not done much to help child nor mother. In fact, I can surmise that we've probably set them back. It's not that he made a mistake and is now paying for a lapse in poor judgement, it seems the country won't be happy unless he suffered as much. But by punishing him in such a way, we're already punishing the family again. It seems so...counterproductive to some who believe rehabilitation does work.

I really don't care if Adrian Peterson will play in pro football again or not. Nor (not to sound harsh) what happens to his family. I wish them well. But to destroy a man's livelihood when it's so specialized and sending him back into "the world" with nothing else, is truly stupid on our part.

If you feel you must hurt the man, what would be the alternative? Certainly isn't debilitating the family.