Governor Mark Dayton Says Vikings Should Suspend Adrian Peterson

Minnesota governor Mark Dayton has weighed in on the Adrian Peterson situation and the Vikings’ decision to reactivate Peterson after sitting him down one game amid allegations he abused two of his children in separate incidents a year apart.

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Dayton said via Fox Sports.com:

"“It is an awful situation,” Gov. Mark Dayton said Tuesday. “Yes, Mr. Peterson is entitled to due process and should be `innocent until proven guilty.’ However, he is a public figure; and his actions, as described, are a public embarrassment to the Vikings organization and the State of Minnesota. Whipping a child to the extent of visible wounds, as has been alleged, should not be tolerated in our state. Therefore, I believe the team should suspend Mr. Peterson, until the accusations of child abuse have been resolved by the criminal justice system.”"

Peterson has a court date scheduled for Wednesday but it’s not believed his case will go to trial until next year. Suspending him until the accusations against him have been resolved would therefore mean sitting him down for the rest of the 2014 season.

The Vikings have stood behind Peterson since news of the allegations against him broke on Friday. Ownership has released a statement on his behalf and sent GM Rick Spielman before the media to explain their decision to keep Peterson on the active roster.