Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings' MVP running back played in Sunday's loss against the Carolina Panthers, less than 48 hours after his two-year-old son died from an alleged beating by the boy's mother's boyfriend, CNNSI reported.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota police said that 27-year-old Joseph Robert Paterson has been charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault. Paterson could face up to 40 years in pris and an 80,000 fine, if convicted, news reports said. Prosecutors continue to consider filing additional charges against Patterson in light of the boy's death, CNN reported.
When Patterson called authorities last Wednesday claiming that Peterson's 2-year-old was choking, officers found the boy unresponsive and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Authorities determined that the child had suffered injuries to the head, which were consistent with abuse, police spokesman Sam Clemens said. The boy's mother is not under investigation.
Patterson, who was given suspended sentences a year ago for 'similar' domestic assault and violation of a domestic abuse bond and misdemeanors was arrested on Thursday night. He mad an initial court appearance on Friday. Peterson, the 2012 Most Valuable Player, did not indicate what happened when addressing reporters on Friday at the the time his son had been in critical condition, CNN reported.
Peterson, while deflecting criticism by some who believe he should not have played on Sunday: "I'll try to take good from it. That's the way I approach life. I never thought about not playing. It was all about going out there and praying that I have strength to get through. That was my focus," he said.
"Football is something I will always fall back on. It gets me through tough times. Just being around the guys in here, that's what I need," Peterson said on Friday.
Sunday's 62 yard rushing total on Sunday against the Panthers was his lowest total of the season, CNNSI reported.
Peterson, a five-time Pro Bowler, was selected by the Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.
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