NFL bans Peterson for season for beating his son

Star running back Adrian Peterson was suspended without pay for at least the rest of the season by the NFL on Tuesday.

The league said it informed the Minnesota Vikings in a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell that he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy - the first example of the league’s crackdown on players involved in domestic violence.

The NFL Players Association quickly announced its plan to appeal, and sharply rebuked the league’s alleged inconsistency and unfairness in the process.

The NFL’s words were even stronger, with a nearly 1,600-word statement spelling out his path to a return to the field and describing the reasons for the punishment.

Peterson pleaded no contest on Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault in Texas for injuring his 4-year-old son with a branch. He said he intended no harm, only discipline. Peterson was on a special exempt list at the sole discretion of Goodell, essentially paid leave while the case went through the legal system.

The NFLPA said Peterson was told that would count as time served for any suspension levied, citing an unnamed NFL executive. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said by email the stay on the exempt list was taken into account.

“There were aggravating circumstances that led to the discipline announced,’’ McCarthy said.

Peterson’s salary for the season was $11.75 million. He will keep the pay accrued while on the exempt list.

Goodell announced on Aug. 28 that the league would toughen punishment for players involved in domestic violence. That action stemmed from a torrent of criticism for the league’s initial leniency toward Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who was caught on camera punching and knocking out the woman who was his wife.

The Vikings have six games left this season. The league’s enhanced policy calls for a six-game suspension for first offenses of assault, battery or domestic violence.

Aggravating circumstances warrant higher levels of discipline, and Goodell’s letter to Peterson spelled that out.

Goodell pointed to the child’s age, and the significant physical difference between Peterson and his son.

“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,’’ Goodell wrote. “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.’’

Goodell also came down on Peterson for showing “no meaningful remorse’’ for hurting the boy, and expressed concern that he “may feel free to engage in similar conduct in the future.’’

The union has accused the league of overstepping bounds spelled out in the collective bargaining agreement.

AP