Fans and followers of the NFL had a heartbreaking year in 2014 as Adrian Peterson, one of the most notable players in the league, was suspended from playing 15 games following the domestic violence abuse charges he faced. Hot in the heels of the issue concerning former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had no other recourse but to assure the anxious public that the NFL plays no part in honing the culture of violence and domestic abuse. Needless to say, the fact that the Minnesota Vikings star had his name included among the NFL stars dubbed as domestic violence perpetrators placed Peterson in bad light.
As he revs his engine to stage his return to the NFL, Peterson admits that the 15-game suspension definitely made a difference in his life - that is, he now feels better than ever and is more than prepared to face the challenges of the upcoming NFL season. "My body is so much fresher, so that's good," the Vikings running back said via Star Tribune. He added, "And I think not being able to be a part of last year, that alone will just have me eager to play harder and faster and with more passion. That's just the way I play anyway, but with that on top, I'll definitely be out there with more energy and more excitement."
Standing in the sidelines and watching the NFL Hall of Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings, Peterson believes that he has earned the right to think he could be one of the awardees sometime in the future. In fact, the Vikings star shared that he intends to not only become the "greatest running back" but also, and more importantly, "the greatest player" in the NFL. While his performance in the NFL leaves no doubt about the possibility of him being included in the NFL Hall of Fame, there is still the issue of the domestic abuse case he was involved in.
"I don't think it will have an impact on how I'm remembered because at the end of the day, it's still the game of football; people looking at what you do on the field," Peterson said confidently, referring to the domestic violence case that got him the 15-game suspension from the NFL. He added, "I think more so the fans of Minnesota [will remember] because it's your hometown team. But not to the extent that I think you think it will be. I don't think it will be too damning."
