The deactivation of Minnesota Vikings super-star running back Adrian Peterson for negligent injury to a child capped off a horrible week for the National Football League. Commissioner Roger Goodell was criticized for the way he dealt with the violent case of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. Now, he must decided if and how to discipline Peterson.
Player reactions to Peterson's arrest were a lot more mixed than the Rice case, with several players drew similarities to their own childhood. They expressed their feelings via Twitter.com.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett said, "I got a ass whippn at 5 with a switch that's lasted about 40mins and couldn't sit for 2days. It's was all love though. Times have changed!"
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram Jr. said, "When I was kid I got so many whoopins I can't even count! I love both my parents, they just wanted me to be the best human possible!"
Costless agent wide receiver Donté Stallworth said, "What's child abuse in 2014 was normal in the 80s where I grew up and also with people in my age range. But times have changed and society is not as accepting of those standards of discipline as we once were."
Falcons wide receiver Roddy White was more concerned with his fantasy team, tweeting, "I'm probably going to lose my fantasy football matchup this week cause all day (Peterson) can't play Sunday for disciplining his child Jesus help us."
White deleted the tweet soon after and apologized.
White commented on his deleted tweet, "I should not have made light of a very serious situation. I understand the strong feelings about this issue and i shouldn't have said that."
Former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe congratulated the team for deactivating Peterson ahead of Sunday's game.
Kluwe said, "I think the league can be better, and it must be better, if it wants to justify the money it makes. Tough to look it fail though. I will say this: I've had my issues with the Vikings. However, they deactivated AP this weekend. Greg Hardy and Ray McDonald are playing."
Peterson turned himself in early Saturday morning and was released on a $15,000 bond. Peterson is accused of using a tree branch to punish his four-year-old son.
"Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning," Peterson's attorney Rusty Hardin said Friday. "It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury."