Adrian Peterson goes off on Twitter
The Minnesota Vikings and running back Adrian Peterson have been going through issues since Peterson was put on the commissioner’s exempt list after Week 1 of the 2014 regular season. Peterson was in hot waters legally at the time after being charged with felony child-abuse on his 4-year-old son, whom he beat with a switch.
Peterson has been skipping the Vikings’ voluntary OTA sessions this season and on Thursday, took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with how NFL fans are perceiving his situation with Minnesota.
I love people who think they know it all! Smh, Research how many NFL teams hasn't honored a player's contract & learn something.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Question for the people, is a contract two sided or one?
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Ok great two sided! Well why when one party decides ... Mr. ? we wan't you to take a pay cut now or better yet flat out release you!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
There's never no talk about honoring a contract!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
I know hundreds of player's that wished their team would've HONORED the contract! But instead got threw to the side like like trash.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
A lill crazy how one side has so much power that they can do as they please when it come to the contract! But when the other-side (player's)
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Feels for whatever reason! Family, Change of scenery or simply - what they feels just might work best for them! Those same laws don't apply!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
It's all about honoring you're contract! Sounds like free will is being a lil challenged to me!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
All I'm saying as a Minnesota Viking player! WE need the same power to do as all 32 teams do we they feel, under contract or not!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
It's time for a change! Then again I'm grateful because at the end of the day, I know some of those same guys that wish a team held on!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Here’s the problem with Peterson’s rant: his team is absolutely honoring his massive, inflated contract. Minnesota has refused to trade him and is in fact welcoming him back with open arms. All of this despite the fact that he beat his kid with a tree branch. Some could, and should, argue that the Vikings are crazy for dealing with this PR nightmare.
Peterson is currently playing out a six-year, $86.2 million deal. In 2015, Peterson is scheduled to make $15.4 million followed by $15 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2017. In case you were wondering, he is the highest-paid running back in the league for each of those campaigns.
Through his people and actions, Peterson has made it clear he wants out of Minnesota. Now, he’s complaining and causing a scene, hoping to get his way. Unfortunately for him, his salary is preventing most teams from touching him with a 10-foot pole. Additionally, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has said Peterson will only be playing for Minnesota this year, essentially putting his foot down.
In relation to the charges put against him in September, Peterson pleaded guilty in November to reckless assault and avoided jail time, although he was forced to pay a $4,000 fine and provide community service, according to the New York Times.