Adrian Peterson: 'The first person I apologized to was my son'
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson returned to the team on Tuesday by attending organized team activities and held a press conference.
Peterson was reinstated by the NFL in April after missing 15 games last season after he was indicted on child injury charges for hitting his 4-year-old son with a switch.
“The first person I apologized to was my son and that was right,” Petersonsaid. “I made a mistake and I know a lot of people don't view that way ... But ultimately that's what it was.”
Peterson said he's “definitely not the victim and [hasn't] tried the play the victim in this role.” He added that he has he learned in therapy that he's “been doing a pretty good job” and has learned about things like time outs and taking snacks away.
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Vikings coach Mike Zimmer also addressed the media on Tuesday and said the team has welcomed Peterson back with “open arms.”
“I'm proud of Adrian with all the things he had to go through last year. We're ready to move forward,” said Zimmer, who added that he “loves this kid.”
There were rumors over the off-season about whether the Vikings would look to trade Peterson, however Zimmer said a trade was never a thought.
Asked if he wanted to leave Minnesota at any point, Peterson said, “I'm going to be absolute 100 percent with you, I really didn't know what I wanted.” He said he took time to think about things and ultimately decided that coming back was what he wanted.
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Peterson was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list last September and was suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season in November after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault.
He remains under contract with the Vikings for the next three seasons and is scheduled to make $12.75 million in 2015, plus a $250,000 workout bonus.
- Molly Geary
