Report: Adrian Peterson's agent has 'heated exchange' with Vikings exec
Adrian Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, got into a "heated exchange" with Minnesota Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski during the NFL combine last week, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
Peterson recently told ESPN that he is "still uneasy" about the idea of returning to the team next season. The running back sat out the final 15 games of last season following an indictment on child abuse charges and is currently indefinitely suspended by the NFL.
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From La Canfora:
According to the sources, Dogra engaged in a heated exchange with Brzezinski during which the agent made it clear that Peterson would never play there again. The incident took place during a time when outside parties were in the vicinity. Finally, former Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik intervened, separating the men and diffusing the escalating tension, sources said.
La Canfora reports that a source close to the player also said that Peterson "will never play another game for the Vikings."
Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press that Peterson is "open to returning to the Vikings" and denied that his son no longer wants to play for them.
"He hasn’t closed the door on saying, 'I won’t play for the Vikings.' He hasn’t demanded a trade,'" Nelson Peterson said.
In November, Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor. The plea made no reference to family violence or violence against a minor. Peterson was directed to pay a $4,000 fine and perform 80 hours of community service, and he was placed on probation. He was not given jail time.
Peterson is eligible to apply for reinstatement to the NFL on April 15. The NFLPA is suing the league to get him immediately reinstated.
Last week, Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf said he supports Peterson's return to the team. Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman also said he wants Peterson to return in 2015 and expects the running back to be a Viking.
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Peterson is under contract with Minnesota for next season and is set to earn a $12.75 million base salary.
In his last full season, 2013, Peterson ran for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games.
- Molly Geary
