Getty ImagesThe arrest of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson for resisting arrest was the biggest development of an otherwise sleepy summer Saturday.
Peterson will appear in a Houston court this week to answer the charges, which means that the fallout from the incident still remains unclear. It’s not too soon to start thinking about the impact it might have on the Vikings, though. According to quarterback Christian Ponder, there won’t be any negative impact on the team as a result of the arrest.
“He’s one of our biggest leaders,” Ponder said, via Dan Wierderer of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “Adrian is a great guy. Maybe it was one bad decision he made. Who knows? He won’t be a distraction at all.”
The Vikings are holding off on making any official comment, but another one of Peterson’s teammates is also sticking by Peterson in the wake of the arrest. Punter Chris Kluwe thinks that “everyone needs to take a breath and wait for some sort of concrete details before getting worked up” about what went down early Saturday morning.
The court of public opinion will weigh in one way or another, but there shouldn’t be too much chance of the arrest hurting the Vikings on the field. Peterson’s knee, which he’s been rehabbing at a furious pace all offseason, is the only thing that’s going to keep him from being the key to the Vikings offense this season.
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I think this entire arrest seems off in some way. I’m not entirely up on the legal system but in order to resist arrest don’t you have to be arrested for something? I’m putting my money on this being a bunch of b.s. and nothing will come of it.
And I’m a Packers fan to boot!
Let’s stop cutting him slack just because he’s Adrian Peterson and assume that he’s guilty of something. Based on recent history, he might end up getting suspended for a few games at the start of the season. Would that be such a bad thing?
#1 – It’s widely agreed that the vikings weren’t going anywhere this season, so losing their best player for a short time at the beginning of the year won’t hurt them anyway.
#2 – He’s coming off major knee surgery just a few months ago. Whether he wants to believe it or not, he more than likely won’t be 100% to start the season. This will just give him a few more weeks to rest the knee.
AP has proven to be a good guy and some folk even police love to make headlines.
I will give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. You know actually believing in his innocence until proven guilty?! In deed not in words only…
anyone ever try striking up a conversation with a on duty cop most look at you as a perp or future perp. most are jerks with a badge and they wonder why no one will talk when a crime is committed
It’s a misdemeanor arrest for a minor altercation. It isn’t going to be a distraction and it doesn’t warrant a suspension.
Christian Ponder says Peterson arrest won’t be a distraction
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Well, maybe not to him.
I think AP is guilty of assult and being drunk and disorderly. It’s too bad he was trying to show off in front of the women he was with. I’m afraid he’ll end up with a two game suspension.
And I’m a Vikings fan to boot!
Who cares….its an assault charge.
You’ll never see anything like this happen with Ray Rice or MJD, they’re better on and off the field than Peterson, just saying…
Ponders continued horrible play will definitely be a distraction.
A distraction? yea like anybody expects anything out of this team anyway this year.
A distraction, bull. He’ll pay a fine and move on.