Throughout the offseason Adrian Peterson ordeal, Paul Allen of KFAN (the “HE’S LOOSE!” voice of the Vikings) expressed his opinion that the apparent effort to get out of Minnesota originated with Peterson’s wife. While she hasn’t confirmed Allen’s suspicions clearly, Mrs. Peterson has admitted that she wanted a change of scenery.
“I just would personally, for me, I would’ve preferred to be closer to home,” Peterson’s wife, Ashley, told Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com on the latest “Adrian Peterson Day” in his hometown of Palestine, Texas. “That’s just a personal preference for me. The Vikings have been supportive of him and the fans have been pretty supportive, so we’re happy to be going back.”
Reports surfaced in recent months that Adrian Peterson believed Vikings COO Kevin Warren worked with the league to keep Peterson off the field in 2014. Adrian Peterson and Warren have yet to clear the air.
“I really haven’t had the opportunity to talk to Kevin Warren, but I will,” Peterson said. “Right now I’m focused on football. I’m focused on controlling the things that I can control.”
Neither Warren nor the Vikings could have controlled the situation in 2014; by all appearances and indications, the NFL had no desire to allow Peterson to return last season following the resolution of felony child-abuse charges arising from the spanking of his son. Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges in early November so that, as a first-time offender, he could rejoin the team for the stretch run.
The team definitely could have used him. Going 7-9 without Peterson, the addition of one of the best running backs in league history could have allowed the Vikings to steal a playoff berth.
