NFL Domestic Violence: Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Appeals Season-Long Suspension

After the National Football League (NFL) levied a ban for the entire season on Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings star running back is appealing the suspension and is still hoping to help the Viking this regular season. The league announced on Tuesday that Peterson will be suspended without pay for the remained of the 2014 season and can not be considered for reinstatement before April 15, 2015.

“The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision. Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions. We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you to succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement,” the NFL’s official press release stated on Tuesday with the letter to Peterson from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also published. “You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children, and have no further violations of law or league policy.”

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) allows Peterson to appeal the decision within three days when the suspension was levied. On Thursday, Peterson official appealed the saason-long suspension. According to reports, the 29-year-old Peterson will contend that the league did not act consistently with the NFL CBA’s due process and at the same time, the union, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) will also demand that a neutral party must oversee the process.

Goodell has no choice but to hear the appeal, also per the NFL CBA rules. Meanwhile, Peterson had his first-ever lengthy interview about the whole child abuse incident talking to USA Today Sports.

"I won't ever use a switch again. There’s different situations where a child needs to be disciplined as far as timeout, taking their toys away, making them take a nap. There's so many different ways to discipline your kids.” Peterson stated on Thursday. "You can look down on me and say, 'You have six kids. You should not be at this, you should not be at that.' This is the cards I've been dealt based off my decisions. I make the best of it by spending time with my kids, any and every opportunity that I have.”

The Minnesota Vikings are currently at 4-6— tied for the worst record in the NFC North. The Vikings are still alive in the battle for a playoff spot but need to start winning in bunches— and others to start losing— to have a chance at the NFL Postseason.