Vikings embrace Peterson's return after suspension
Updated: 7 p.m. | Posted: 7:20 a.m.
The Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday welcomed a chastened Adrian Peterson back to the team following his suspension from the NFL last fall amid child abuse allegations.
"I love this kid. I really do," Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters as Peterson returned for the first time in months to the team's headquarters, where the running back participated in a voluntary team practice.
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"It definitely feels good to be back in the building," Peterson said. "This past year has been emotional for both parties involved. I've learned a lot from my mistake and I'm moving forward."
Peterson was suspended without pay last fall for the remainder of the 2014-15 NFL season over ongoing concerns about domestic abuse.
He was indicted in Texas in September on a felony charge of injury to a child for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. He avoided jail time by pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault.
The league in April reinstated Peterson on the condition he fulfill his remaining legal obligations as well as commitments made to the NFL to an "ongoing program of counseling and treatment."
Peterson on Tuesday said he'd fulfilled those obligations, including the counseling.
"The first person I apologized to was my son, and that was right after the situation took place and I realized what had happened," Peterson said.
He said his son was doing well.
"I made a mistake. I know a lot of people don't view it that way. But ultimately that's what it was," he said. "I'm comfortable with knowing my intentions, and I'm comfortable with knowing my child loves me and wants to be around me ... I love all my kids with all my heart and I'd run through a brick wall for them, I'd jump in front of a car for them."
Peterson added that he's not the victim and was not trying to play the victim.
For a while, Peterson's future with the team looked in doubt. There was talk that Peterson wanted to play for another team — or even retire. Peterson says he considered other options, but says he's back where he wants to be.
"I'm happy where I'm at, here with the Minnesota Vikings," he said.
During his time suspended, Peterson told reporters he didn't know what he wanted to do next — "if I wanted to play somewhere else, if I wanted to retire ... get into track, just doing something different."
Peterson praised the current Vikings coaching staff and added that his body feels good and that he's getting ready to play.
Zimmer said Peterson's teammates were glad to see him and hugged him during practice. He said team owners Mark and Zygi Wilf feel the same way.
"I've been privy to all these conversations throughout the course of the last 15 months or whatever it's been," he said, "and they have never wavered in their support for him as well."
Peterson is one of the most explosive and exciting running backs in the NFL. After suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2011, Peterson took his first carry of the next season 78 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings went 7-9 last season without Peterson.
At 30, Peterson is approaching senior status for NFL running backs. But Peterson, who looks like he hasn't skimped on his workout routine, said the suspension gave him a chance to heal his body. And he said he's ready to get back on the field.