Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is expected to return to the lineup in Week Three after missing Sunday’s loss to the Patriots after being indicted on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child in Houston last week.
Peterson released a statement on Monday saying that he “very much” wants to share his story with the public, but that he’s limited about what he can say about a pending court matter. Peterson does say that he “never intended” to harm his son while disciplining him and that he has spoken to a psychologist about “alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate.”
“I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury,” the statement reads. “No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that’s what I tried to do that day. I accept the fact that people feel very strongly about this issue and what they think about my conduct. Regardless of what others think, however, I love my son very much and I will continue to try to become a better father and person.”
The full text of the statement can be found here.
