Adrian Peterson, Stop Playing the Victim

In the incredibly long and drawn out Adrian Peterson-saga, there seems to be some confusion as to who has taken the biggest hit.

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Mr. Peterson, as much as you’d like to spin in, it’s not you.

You were paid 8 million dollars in 2014 to play a single game of football. Not only is that basically free money, but you got to chill out and preserve your body for a whole year, undoubtedly lengthening your time in this league. Yes, there were some people who condemned your child abuse and the media may have spun it out of proportion, but what were the fans supposed to do?

Once all of the dust settled, the Minnesota Vikings organization and fan-ship has been almost entirely in your corner. In fact, here are some recent quotes from members of the organization in regards to Adrian Peterson:

"GM Rick Spielman- “What team wouldn’t want an Adrian Peterson talent? He’s unique player that you don’t see come around too often and Adrian’s been a key part of our organization. He’s made a mistake. He’s doing everything and he’s got to follow through and rectify and do the things the NFL is requiring him to do.”Head Coach Mike Zimmer (via ESPN.com)- “Adrian was always great with me. I think he’s a good person. I think obviously he’s a great running back, and if it works out that way and things work out and he gets his life in order — that’s the most important thing, he gets his life in order, he gets the opportunity to come back — then I will be in his corner whatever the decision is made.Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner (on KFAN)- “(Rick Spielman wanting AP back) gets me excited to talk about. I think everyone, our staff, the players, everyone involved with the organization would be thrilled if Adrian would be back.”COO Kevin Warren– “I think our organization and individuals in our organization from (owner and chairman) Zygi Wilf to Mark Wilf to Coach (Mike Zimmer) to (general manager) Rick Spielman all have made it very clear that they all would welcome Adrian back once he gets all the open items resolved with the league, and I feel the exact same way.’’Co-Owner Mark Wilf- “Adrian’s done a lot of good in this community. He’s done a lot for us on the football field, as well. Of course, he’s a Minnesota Viking, and we’d love to have him back. And of course, a lot depends on the NFL and steps he’s making in his own personal journey. That’s where we’re at with it.”"

There you have it. Arguably the five most important opinions from the organization with nothing but wonderful things to say about Adrian Peterson. Things seemed even better after a recent hearing in Minneapolis, when Peterson was bombarded with love from fans waiting outside the door to show they still held the 2012 MVP in their hearts. He then responded, “Of course,” when asked if he’d like to remain a part of the Vikings.

Well that was clearly a lie.

A couple weeks later in an interview with Ben Goessling of ESPN, Peterson had an entirely different stance. Here are some things Peterson had to say in that interview:

"“..ultimately, with me being able to be on the inside and see how cards were dealt, how things were worded, this, that and the other, it’s about protecting your brand, your organization, what you have built. In the (grand) scheme of things, not one person counts over that. I get that.”“But my emotions, as far as those things I feel, those are for players like (linebacker) Chad Greenway, those guys that play the game just like me, that have the same passion I have, the same goal I have, to win a championship. That’s where it comes from. It don’t come from the organization. I’m not in a good place when it comes to that.”“I know there are a lot of people in the organization who want me back. But then again, I know the ones who don’t. It’s a difficult transition, and it’s not just about me. I have a wife who was able to sit back and see how people in Minnesota said this and said that, how media in Minnesota took the head of the situation with my child, and were digging into things that weren’t even relevant. That wasn’t people in Texas — it was people in Minnesota … This is how they treat me when I’m down and out? You kick me?"

These quotes from Peterson have completely changed my stance on the whole situation. He put the entire organization in flux at the most crucial point of the season. He played one game and was paid about 8 million dollars. He received forgiveness from everyone involved. Oh and let’s not forget, this all started because he beat his own son with a tree branch.

If you think you’re the victim, Adrian, go take less money somewhere else. We’ll take your 15 million dollar cap hit and build this team around Teddy.

Next: 4 Players the Vikings May Take at 11

Feb 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson addresses the media outside the U.S. District Courthouse with his wife Ashley Brown Peterson as the NFL Players Association

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