Adrian Peterson
Suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (L) exits following his hearing against the NFL over his punishment for child abuse, in New York December 2, 2014. Peterson was suspended two weeks ago by the National Football League without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 season for using a tree branch to discipline his son. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Adrian Peterson’s suspension has been overturned by a court and the ruling in favour of the star running back will allow him to return to the National Football League, or NFL. The league will appeal the ruling as expected but the NFL Players Association, or NFLPA, lauded the court ruling saying that the union will stand by its players and their rights.

"Petition to vacate the arbitration award was granted," U.S. District Judge David S. Doty, who made the ruling, said in a report from Ian Rapoport, a writer for NFL.com. ”Case was remanded for further proceedings ... as the [collective bargaining agreement] may permit.”

The ruling means that Peterson will now be placed in the Commissioner’s Exempt List pending the league appeal. By being in the list, Peterson won’t be counted in the team’s roster but will get paid his salary.

“Judge Doty's order did not contain any determinations concerning the fairness of the appeals process under the CBA, including the commissioner's longstanding authority to appoint a designee to act as hearing officer. Even so, we believe that Judge Doty's order is incorrect and fundamentally at odds with well-established legal precedent governing the district court's role in reviewing arbitration decisions,” the league said in an official statement.

The Minnesota Vikings said in previous weeks that they will welcome Peterson back with the team but the 29 year old RB stated that it would be awkward for both sides to return to play for the franchise with a strained relationship the past months. In recent reports, Peterson stated that’s he’s open to playing with the Dallas Cowboys. Doty’s decision was lauded by the NFLPA and the union released their own statement on the development.

"This is a victory for the rule of law, due process and fairness," the NFLPA official statement said. "Our collective bargaining agreement has rules for implementation of the personal conduct policy and when those rules are violated, our union always stands up to protect our players' rights. This is yet another example why neutral arbitration is good for our players, good for the owners and good for our game.” 


The league suspension was executed on Nov. 18, 2014 after Peterson was allegedly involved in child abuse charges with his four year old son. An appeal was denied by the league afterwards and Peterson was not eligible for reinstatement until after April 15, 2015. Despite the off-the-field issues, Peterson is still considered one of the top running backs in the league making Pro Bowl six times in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

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