All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson's appeal of a league suspension for a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy has been denied, the league announced Friday.
Peterson's appeal was heard by former NFL executive Harold Henderson last week in Washington, D.C. Henderson was appointed by commissioner Roger Goodell as arbitrator to hear the sides' cases and issue a ruling.
[h=4]Adrian Peterson Appeal Denied[/h]
Adrian Peterson's appeal of a league suspension for a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy has been denied. A look at arbitrator Harold Henderson's ruling: PDF of appeal
<center>Key Dates in Peterson Case</center> Sept. 12: Peterson indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child in Montgomery County, Texas
Nov. 4: Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch
Nov. 18: Peterson was suspended without pay for at least the rest of the season by commissioner Roger Goodell
Dec. 12: Peterson's appeal of the suspension denied
April 15, 2015: First date Peterson can apply for reinstatement to the NFL
In upholding the NFL's initial ruling, Henderson concluded that Peterson "has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent."
Wrote Henderson: "He was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled, and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline."
Peterson is now expected to appeal the decision in federal court.
The players' union reacted swiftly to the ruling.
"The NFLPA expected this outcome, given the hearing officer's relationship and financial ties to the NFL," the union's statement read. "The decision itself ignores the facts, the evidence and the collective bargaining agreement. This decision also represents the NFL's repeated failure to adhere to due process and confirms its inconsistent treatment of players. Our union is considering immediate legal remedies."
Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, hasn't played for the Minnesota Vikings since Week 1 after he was charged with child abuse in Texas. He was placed on paid leave while the legal process played out, and he pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch. He avoided jail time by reaching the plea deal.
<cite>Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/ Getty Images</cite>Adrian Peterson is expected to appeal the arbitrator's decision in federal court.
On Nov. 18, Peterson was suspended without pay by Goodell for at least the rest of the season. Peterson will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15, Goodell has said.
Peterson will still have a minimum of six games to serve, which would roll into the 2015 season, a league source earlier told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Peterson would sit out the final three games without pay this season, along with the first three games in 2015 without pay, a financial loss just shy of $4.2 million.
"The facts in this appeal are uncontested. The player entered a plea which effectively admitted guilt to a criminal charge of child abuse," Henderson wrote, "after inflicting serious injuries to his four-year old son in the course of administering discipline. No direct evidence of the beating was entered in the record here, but numerous court documents, investigative reports, photographs and news reports, all accepted into evidence without objection, make it clear that Mr. Peterson's conduct was egregious and aggravated as those terms are used in the Policy, and merits substantial discipline.
"His public comments do not reflect remorse or appreciation for the seriousness of his actions and their impact on his family, community, fans and the NFL, although at the close of the hearing he said he has learned from his mistake, he regrets that it happened and it will never happen again. I reject the argument that placement in Commissioner Exempt status is discipline."
After the Peterson and Ray Rice abuse cases, the NFL re-examined its conduct policy, and on Thursday announced unanimously approved changes. A more extensive list of prohibited conduct will be included in the policy, as well as specific criteria for paid leave for anyone charged with a violent crime. Goodell will retain authority to rule on appeals, while a special counsel for investigations and conduct will oversee initial discipline, the commissioner said.
Peterson's appeal was heard by former NFL executive Harold Henderson last week in Washington, D.C. Henderson was appointed by commissioner Roger Goodell as arbitrator to hear the sides' cases and issue a ruling.
[h=4]Adrian Peterson Appeal Denied[/h]
<center>Key Dates in Peterson Case</center> Sept. 12: Peterson indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child in Montgomery County, Texas
Nov. 4: Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch
Nov. 18: Peterson was suspended without pay for at least the rest of the season by commissioner Roger Goodell
Dec. 12: Peterson's appeal of the suspension denied
April 15, 2015: First date Peterson can apply for reinstatement to the NFL
In upholding the NFL's initial ruling, Henderson concluded that Peterson "has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent."
Wrote Henderson: "He was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled, and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline."
Peterson is now expected to appeal the decision in federal court.
The players' union reacted swiftly to the ruling.
"The NFLPA expected this outcome, given the hearing officer's relationship and financial ties to the NFL," the union's statement read. "The decision itself ignores the facts, the evidence and the collective bargaining agreement. This decision also represents the NFL's repeated failure to adhere to due process and confirms its inconsistent treatment of players. Our union is considering immediate legal remedies."
Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, hasn't played for the Minnesota Vikings since Week 1 after he was charged with child abuse in Texas. He was placed on paid leave while the legal process played out, and he pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch. He avoided jail time by reaching the plea deal.
<cite>Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/ Getty Images</cite>Adrian Peterson is expected to appeal the arbitrator's decision in federal court.On Nov. 18, Peterson was suspended without pay by Goodell for at least the rest of the season. Peterson will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15, Goodell has said.
Peterson will still have a minimum of six games to serve, which would roll into the 2015 season, a league source earlier told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Peterson would sit out the final three games without pay this season, along with the first three games in 2015 without pay, a financial loss just shy of $4.2 million.
"The facts in this appeal are uncontested. The player entered a plea which effectively admitted guilt to a criminal charge of child abuse," Henderson wrote, "after inflicting serious injuries to his four-year old son in the course of administering discipline. No direct evidence of the beating was entered in the record here, but numerous court documents, investigative reports, photographs and news reports, all accepted into evidence without objection, make it clear that Mr. Peterson's conduct was egregious and aggravated as those terms are used in the Policy, and merits substantial discipline.
"His public comments do not reflect remorse or appreciation for the seriousness of his actions and their impact on his family, community, fans and the NFL, although at the close of the hearing he said he has learned from his mistake, he regrets that it happened and it will never happen again. I reject the argument that placement in Commissioner Exempt status is discipline."
After the Peterson and Ray Rice abuse cases, the NFL re-examined its conduct policy, and on Thursday announced unanimously approved changes. A more extensive list of prohibited conduct will be included in the policy, as well as specific criteria for paid leave for anyone charged with a violent crime. Goodell will retain authority to rule on appeals, while a special counsel for investigations and conduct will oversee initial discipline, the commissioner said.
