Vikings reinstate Adrian Peterson; Peterson addresses child abuse allegations

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (KABC) -- Vikings running back Adrian Peterson made his first statement Monday since being indicted for child abuse.

The running back said he disciplined his child in the same way his parents disciplined him. He credited that discipline with keeping him out of trouble as a child.

"I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child," Peterson said. "No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that's what I tried to do that day."

Teammates showed support for Peterson.

"We know what type of guy Adrian is. All Adrian's friends and family know what type of guy he is," said Jarius Wright, Vikings wide receiver. "The people outside of our team and outside of his family can say what they want."

The Vikings deactivated their best player for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Monday, the team reinstated Peterson and he is expected to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf were behind the decision to bring Peterson back, saying they did so "after significant thought, discussion and consideration." They said they want to let the case play out before making any more decisions on Peterson's future.

"To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child," they said. "At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action."

Peterson's statement comes the same day the league brought in three experts in domestic violence to serve as senior advisers to the league. They will help lead and shape the NFL's policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault.

Peterson faces a charge of reckless or negligent injury to a child, which carries penalties of up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 8.

On Monday evening, Peterson's lawyer shot down new allegations of child abuse against the football player.

"The allegation of another investigation into Adrian Peterson is simply not true. The allegation is more than one year old and authorities took no action. An adult witness admittedly insists Adrian did nothing inappropriate with his son," said attorney Rusty Hardin.

The Vikings said in a statement that it was aware of "an allegation from 2013 in which authorities took no action against Adrian" and referred questions to Peterson's lawyer.

Meantime, the NFL Players Association will appeal Ray Rice's suspension on his behalf. Rice has kept a very low profile since being released by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league. That clearly could change after a video showed him knocking out his then-fiance and now wife in an elevator.

The union will now argue that Rice is being punished twice for the same offense.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.