Beaten as a kid, Cruz identifies with Adrian Peterson's actions
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz said he understands Adrian Peterson's actions because he was beaten as a child, the New York Post's Steve Serby reports.
Peterson was indicted by a Texas grand jury last week for allegedly beating his 4-year-old son with a tree branch. The Vikingsplaced him on the Commissioner's Exempt list and said he will not participate in team activities until after his legal proceedings are finished.
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Cruz said physical discipline was an "unfortunate" part of his childhood.
“You understand, coming from how I grew up, why he did it or how he did it,” Cruz told The Post. “It’s just when it’s broadcasted the way it is, it’s tough to not look at it in scrutiny, and not look at it in a certain way. I understand it, but from a world’s view, it’s different. … It’s not something that’s looked at as a positive thing to hit your child or anything like that. I was hit when I was young, it’s something that happens. … It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is.”
Cruz declined to say what he was hit with and said he doesn't remember why he was being punished.
• ROSENBERG: Suspending Peterson not about 'getting it right'
- Paul Palladino
