Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings record-breaking tailback, left the team temporarily when his 2-year old son showed signs at the hospital of being pummeled by the man who is dating the mother of the child, according to the local media. This is not Adrian Peterson Jr. who has been famously photographed with his father, but the younger son. He has suffered blunt force trauma to the skull.
Peterson’s father, Nelson Peterson, said the child, who lived in Sioux Falls with his mother, was Adrian’s son. Nelson Peterson spoke to the (Minnesota) Star Tribune by phone.
According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader:
A 2-year-old Sioux Falls boy remains in critical condition this morning, but police aren’t saying if his father is Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens said many people have asked about the identity of the boy’s father.
“At this point, we’re not going to confirm anything. Who the father is does not come into play in this investigation, so we’re not going to be releasing any information as far as that goes,” he said.
Lincoln County State’s Attorney Tom Wollman asked that people respect the family’s privacy.
“The parents and extended family are suffering greatly,” he said.
The man accused of assaulting the toddler and leaving him in critical condition in a south Sioux Falls apartment has a history of domestic violence.
Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant in Lincoln County for reportedly harming a 2-year-old boy who was in his care.
Twitter reacts strongly to the horrific news, with Chad Johnson probably summing up the sentiments of most observers:
Yo this Adrian Peterson news though… As a father the court would have to understand my actions which they probably wouldn’t.
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 11, 2013
Sending #prayers and positive thoughts out to Adrian Peterson and his family! https://t.co/zMImPjWhxV /via .@nbcsports
— Brian White (@actorbrianwhite) October 11, 2013
Can’t even imagine what @adrianpeterson and family of that young boy are feeling today. Absolutely unfathomable
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) October 11, 2013
Bless the family of Adrian Peterson.
— Draya Michele (@DrayaFace) October 11, 2013
Best thoughts from me and all of America, @AdrianPeterson.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) October 11, 2013
What in the WTF. Prayers for @AdrianPeterson and his son. And may his alleged scumbag attacker allegedly rot in a confirmed warm place.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) October 11, 2013
