Adrian Peterson Defends Himself Against False Charity Claims
Adrian Peterson is publicly defending himself against claims that he misappropriated charity funds.
The 29-year-old Minnesota Vikings running back made headlines last month when news broke claiming that he abused his four-year-old son whom the football star struck with a stripped tree branch resulting in severe lacerations. Peterson was indicted and is gearing up to undergo a trial for the matter, and has been deactivated by his team during the pending legal matter.
During his pending legal issues, the Minneapolis Star Tribune posted a report claiming that Peterson failed to give donations that he raised for the Straight From The Heart Foundation. Instead, the Tribune alleged that Peterson used the charity's credit card to fund a party in 2011, where he was accused of sexual assault.
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While the football player has been posting Bible verses on his social media account, he recently took to Twitter and Instagram to call out some media sources in a picture he referred to as "Journalism 101."
In the screenshot of what looks to be written in text message form, Peterson insists that the Tribune contacted a Straight From The Heart Foundation in Maryland. However, Peterson donated to the organization with the same name located in California. He also admitted to making mistakes in 2011 that he has since learned and grown from.
"It's SAD how people these days will believe anything reported by media sources that don't take the time to be GREAT," Peterson tweeted.
Rusty Hardin, Peterson's attorney, also defended the football player in a statement obtained by NBC News.
"There is no question that prior to 2011, issues existed with the administration of Adrian's foundation," Hardin said. "When this was brought to his attention, Adrian made changes to the organization and brought in new leadership. Adrian and his family are understandably proud of the foundation and the good work that it has done and continues to do."
Hardin said Peterson has donated over $1.4 million to various charities including his foundation and believes that when Peterson's trial is over, the public will restore their trust in him.
"I'm confident that the people here will see that the real Adrian will be the same before all this ever happened," Hardin told reporters Wednesday.
Peterson's trial for felony child abuse is tentatively scheduled to begin Dec. 1.
