Adrian Peterson’s Mom Says Son Adores His Children
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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images(MINNEAPOLIS) — Adrian Peterson’s family is coming out in support of the embattled NFL player.
Peterson has been charged with reckless and negligent injury after allegedly using a thin branch to strike his 4-year-old son at his Texas home last May.
Peterson’s half-brother, 20-year-old Jaylon Brown, told ABC News that Adrian “loves his kids.”
“He never harmed them intentionally,” said Brown. “He is the type of guy to teach his kids right from wrong. God knows. God has the last say at the end of the day in all of this. Only God can judge.”
Peterson’s mom, Bonita Jackson, told the Houston Chronicle that her son is a loving father who adores his kids.
“I don’t care what anybody says, most of us disciplined our kids a little more than we meant sometimes, but we were only trying to prepare them for the real world,” said Jackson.
“When you whip those you love, it’s not about abuse, it’s about love. You want to make them understand that they did wrong,” she added.
The 50-year-old Jackson said both she and Peterson’s father, Nelson Peterson, were “big disciplinarians” while raising their children. She admits she used her hand, switches and belts to spank all six of her children on occasion, but adds not to the point of injury.
Bonita Jackson told the newspaper her son is now receiving counseling to learn alternative discipline methods, such as having a child stand in the corner for five minutes.
In Minnesota on Wednesday, Vikings co-owner Zygi Wilf said the team did the right thing by putting running back Adrian Peterson on the exemption list Tuesday. Wilf and the rest of the Vikings organization believes they made a mistake reactivating Peterson earlier in the week while the legal process involving charges of child abuse against the running back proceeded.
The National Football League Players Association said Peterson cooperated during the process and will still get paid during the time he is away from the field.
Meanwhile, a Nike spokesperson said Wednesday the company was suspending its endorsement contract with Peterson.
ESPN reports Peterson jerseys are no longer available on the NFL’s official site, NFLShop.com or on Nike.com or at any Nike retail outlet.
Peterson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement that his client “wants to continue his work in the NFL and contribute to his team and community.”
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