Adrian Peterson Will Play Sunday Despite Tragic Situation With 2-Year-Old Son

Sep 29, 2013; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Steelers 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson returned to Winter Park Friday after spending a day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the most horrible reason imaginable. Early Friday it was reported that Peterson traveled to South Dakota after learning that his 2-year-old son had been severely beaten by a man who was dating the boy’s mother. The child is on life support and is not expected to survive his injuries. The alleged assailant, Joseph Patterson, was taken into custody by police and charged with aggravated assault and battery of an infant.

With all that going through his brain, Peterson had to travel back to the Twin Cities, suit up for practice and then address the media. Peterson understandably would give no particulars of the situation but only asked that everyone respect his privacy in this agonizing time.

“I’m going to start off by saying I really appreciate all the support I’ve been receiving from the fans and Vikings organization,” Peterson said. “This is a private matter, I ask y’all to please respect my privacy and not ask at all about the situation at hand.”

Peterson then assured, “I plan on playing Sunday, I will be playing on Sunday, let me correct that.”

Peterson added, “Football is something I’ll always fall back on, it gets me through tough times. Being around the guys in here, that’s what I need in my life, guys supporting me. I’m able to kind of release a lot of my stress through this sport, that’s what I plan on doing.”

The Vikings host the Panthers Sunday at Mall of America Field.

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