The minute we saw Adrian Peterson compare the plight of the NFL player to “modern-day slavery,” we knew it was a comment that would get attention.
It didn’t take long for another player to take issue with it.
“I have to totally disagree with Adrian Peterson’s comparison to this situation being Modern day slavery. . . false,” Packers running back Ryan Grant wrote on Twitter. “Their is unfortunately actually still slavery existing in our world.. Literal modern day slavery.. That was a very misinformed statement. I understand what point he was trying to make.. I just feel like he should have been advised a little differently.”
Peterson will be given the chance to clarify his comments, and we’re sure he’ll put it into better context. For now, it looks like another comment to add to the mix from players and owners that lacks perspective.
We keep hearing about this fight in the context of future generations of players. Of fighting for rights.
Let’s just call it what it is: Both sides are trying to equitably distribute a lot of money. More money than previous generations of players could imagine.
That’s worth fighting over, but let’s stop trying to make it sound heroic.