Roger Goodell was right to drop hammer on Adrian Peterson; now NFL needs to educate
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/roger-goodell-was-right-to-drop-hammer-on-adrian-peterson--now-nfl-needs-to-educate-152857241.html
First, the injury was inflicted on a child who was only [4] years old, Goodell started, like a prosecutor, before unnecessarily painting out the facts of the case that Peterson doesn't deny. The difference in size and strength between you and the child is significant, and your actions clearly caused physical injury to the child.
While an adult may have a number of options when confronted with abuse, to flee, to fight back, or to seek help from law enforcement, none of those options is realistically available to a [4]-year-old child. Further, the injury inflicted on your son includes the emotional and psychological trauma to a young child who suffers criminal physical abuse at the hands of his father.
Second, the repetitive use of a switch in this instance is the functional equivalent of a weapon, particularly in the hands of someone with the strength of an accomplished professional athlete.
Third, you have shown no meaningful remorse for your conduct, the commissioner concluded. When indicted, you acknowledged what you did but said that you would not eliminate whooping my kids and defended your conduct in numerous published text messages to the childs mother. You also said that you felt very confident with my actions because I know my intent.
These comments raise the serious concern that you do not fully appreciate the seriousness of your conduct, or even worse, that you may feel free to engage in similar conduct in the future.