A lawyer for Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings running back who is under indictment on child abuse charges, strongly denied reports Monday that Peterson was previously investigated in a second abuse case involving another of his sons. Calling the reports "simply not true," the lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said Monday night that "an adult witness admittedly insists Adrian did nothing inappropriate with his son" and that "authorities took no action."
Peterson, 29, the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2012, didn't play in the Vikings' 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday after he was indicted in Texas in an incident that he said was simply a father's disciplining of his 4-year-old son with a switch. Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said Monday that the team was aware of the earlier allegation when it decided to reinstate Peterson, who is expected to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints pending the Texas investigation — a decision that divided advertisers and sponsors. Radisson Hotels, which was founded in Minneapolis and still has its headquarters in a suburb, said Tuesday night it was suspending its sponsorship of the Vikings "while we evaluate the facts and circumstances," but Nike Inc. and Castrol Ltd. said they were "monitoring" the fallout and hadn't yet decided whether to suspend Peterson's endorsement deals.
IN-DEPTH
- Minnesota Vikings Say Adrian Peterson Will Play This Week
- Adrian Peterson Releases Statement About Indictment in Texas
— M. Alex Johnson