Adrian Peterson Ruling Overturned
A Minnesota judge has ruled in favor of the NFL Players Association's lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of Adrian Peterson.
Peterson, the 29-year-old suspended Minnesota Vikings running back, made headlines last Sept. 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. Although his no-contest plea left him with the ability to continue with the 2014-2015 NFL season, the league officially decided he would remain suspended without pay until April.
The NFLPA decided to file a federal lawsuit after arbitrator Harold Henderson decided not to grant him an appeal that could help him return to playing for the Minnesota Vikings this season. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Doty ruled that Henderson's decision would be vacated after the NFL did not properly handle Peterson's discipline.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
While Judge Doty issued a ruling that said said Henderson "failed to meet his duty," he also said that the case had to be reviewed in accordance with the league's collective bargaining agreement.
"The case is remanded for such further proceedings consistent with this order as the CBA may permit. LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY," Doty wrote in a 16-page ruling obtained by ESPN.
While it remains unclear if and when Peterson will rejoin the Vikings, ESPN reported that NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league will "review the decision." Still, it seems the ruling has been a victory for the NFLPA.
"This is a victory for the rule of law, due process and fairness. Our collective bargaining agreement has rules for implementation of the personal conduct policy and when those rules are violated, our union always stands up to protect our players' rights," NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said in a statement obtained by CBS Sports. "This is yet another example why neutral arbitration is good for our players, good for the owners and good for our game."
