Earlier on Tuesday, we learned the NFL suspended Vikings running back Adrian Peterson without pay for at least the remainder of this season after pleading no contest to child abuse charges. Mike Ditka spoke with the Chicago Sun-Times about the punishment and was not pleased.
“The commissioner is out of line. What [Peterson] did was discipline his kid. Did he do it the right way? No. Maybe he thought he did. But I’m not privy to that. But I know one thing, if you are a parent in this world today and you don’t discipline your child when they’re growing up, they’ll probably grow up to be bad people. That’s all I’m going to tell you.”
But then he continued with what he feels should have happened.
“I think the commissioner should have re-instated him. First of all, it’s not about finances, it’s not about getting paid. What it’s about is his self-respect, dignity and honor. Maybe he did screw up but, my god, who hasn’t screwed up? There are a lot of guys doing a lot more stupid things in the league today than what he did. I’m all for giving a guy a second chance if he deserves it. I think he deserves one. He’s never been in trouble in his life.”
The NFLPA is appealing Goodell’s decision to suspend Peterson for the remainder of the season.
