Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has issued a statement on his indictment in a child injury case. The 2012 NFL MVP apologized for “the hurt I have brought to my child” but insisted that he is “not a child abuser” in the statement released on Monday. The alleged abuse occurred when Peterson disciplined a 4-year-old son with a tree branch at his home in Texas during the summer. The 29-year-old has maintained that he was employing the same disciplinary methods he experienced as a child.
Peterson posted full text of the statement on Twitter:
Peterson was indicted on child abuse charges on Friday and subsequently deactivated by the Vikings for the team’s game on Sunday. He was reinstated by the team on Monday and is expected to be available for upcoming games as his legal case plays out in Texas. After being indicted on Friday, Peterson turned himself in to authorities in Texas on Saturday. He was booked and released from a jail in Montgomery County, Texas after posting $15,000 bond.
