Adrian Peterson Says He Still Beats His Son With A Belt

Adrian Peterson was at the center of controversy four years ago when the then Minnesota Vikings running back was charged with felony child abuse.

Peterson was suspended by the NFL after agreeing to a plea deal to misdemeanor reckless assault.

In a recent interview with Bleacher Report, Peterson admitted that despite the punishment, he still hits his son with a belt.

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“I had to discipline my son and spank him the other day with a belt,” Peterson told BR’s Master Tesfatsion.

The comments come despite Peterson’s reinstatement to the league bring contingent on him being a better father to his children.

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“The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision,” the league told Peterson in a 2014 letter. “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. 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.”

If the NFL views Peterson hitting his son with a belt as a failure to “properly care for your children,” he could be suspended regardless of whether he faces criminal charges. The NFL has made it clear with past incidents that players can be disciplined under the personal-conduct policy even if they are not criminally charged.