Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Hearing officer Harold Henderson upheld Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s suspension appeal on Friday.
Henderson, a former NFL executive, was appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to hear the case and found that the facts against Peterson’s child-abuse case held up in court.
“The player entered a plea which effectively admitted guilt to a criminal charge of child abuse, 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,” Henderson said in a statement on Friday.
Peterson was suspended by the NFL on Nov. 18 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy rule.
“I conclude that the player has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent; 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 will not be eligible to apply for reinstatement until April 15, 2015, but is expected to appeal the decision in federal court, ESPN reports.
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