STATEMENT RELEASED ON BEHALF OF ADRIAN PETERSON The report that I backed out of a meeting with the NFL is just not true. When Roger Goodells office asked that I attend the “hearing” on Friday, I consulted with my union and learned that this “hearing” was something new and inconsistent with the CBA. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this past week, my union sent emails, letters, and had conversations with his office on my behalf asking about the nature of the hearing, how it was to occur, who would participate, and its purpose. We repeatedly asked them to respond quickly to my questions because I want to cooperate and get back on the field, but they didnt respond until late Wednesday evening, and even then they didnt answer important questions about their proposed “hearing.” After consulting with the union, I told the NFL that I will attend the standard meeting with the Commissioner prior to possible imposition of discipline, as has been the long-term practice under the CBA, but I wouldn’t participate in a newly created and non-collectively bargained pre-discipline “hearing” that would include outside people I dont know and who would have roles in the process that the NFL wouldnt disclose. At this point, Ive resolved my matter in the criminal court; Ive worked to make amends for what Ive done; Ive missed most of the season, and I stand ready to be candid and forthcoming with Mr. Goodell about what happened. However, I will not allow the NFL to impose a new process of discipline on me, ignore the CBA, ignore the deal they agreed to with me, and behave without fairness or accountability. The process they are pushing is arbitrary, inconsistent, and contrary to what they agreed to do, and for those reasons, I never agreed to the hearing. Im sorry for all of this, but I cant excuse their refusal to be fair. -- Adrian Peterson ###
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 15:47:05 +0000
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