NFL Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson Advised Against Appearing At Meeting With NFL

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By @MichaelTerrill

Adrian Peterson

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A report surfaced Saturday discussing how running back Adrian Peterson refused to show up at an agreed-upon meeting with the NFL to discuss his future with the league. Everyone was quick to point out how it was a foolish move by Peterson, but apparently, he did not act alone in the decision.

The National Football League Players Association advised Peterson against appearing at the meeting. In actuality, it makes sense that he took that path. The NFLPA is not pleased with the league’s treatment of Peterson because there was an agreement between the two parties earlier in the season that a quick resolve would occur once his legal matters were settled.

Since Peterson got the charges dropped down to a misdemeanor and reached a plea deal with the Texas authorities, the NFLPA was eager to see the NFL’s timely decision about his reinstatement. Of course, the league has decided to go about it entirely different, which has had the NFLPA up in arms the past two weeks.

On Sunday morning, the NFLPA released a statement on Peterson’s behalf:

“The report that I backed out of a meeting with the NFL is just not true,” Peterson said. “When Roger Goodell’s office asked that I attend the ‘hearing’ on Friday, I consulted with my union and learned that this ‘hearing’ was something new and inconsistent with the CBA. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this past week, my union sent emails, letters, and had conversations with his office on my behalf asking about the nature of the hearing, how it was to occur, who would participate, and its purpose. We repeatedly asked them to respond quickly to my questions because I want to cooperate and get back on the field, but they didn’t respond until late Wednesday evening, and even then they didn’t answer important questions about their proposed ‘hearing.’”

The clear miscommunication between the two parties is a partial reason why Peterson has yet to take the field. With that said, even if the NFL does agree that his already several missed games is punishment enough, there is no guarantee the Minnesota Vikings, the team that suspended him without pay in the first place, will allow him to suit up.

Obviously, the matter is not going to go away anytime soon, especially since the two sides are incapable of seeing eye-to-eye.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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