The weekly drama series that is the National Football League has released a new episode. The plot goes like this (stay with us): All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings is said to have punished his child May 18 with a switch, causing lacerations and bruising. Then on Aug. 21, Peterson testifies in front of a grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas. On Sept. 4 the grand jury decides not to indict Peterson. Then on Sept. 11, Peterson misses practice for what his coach terms a “veteran day” off.  Come Sept. 12, Peterson is indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child in Montgomery County and less than half an hour later the team deactivates him for one game. On Sept. 13, he turns himself in to Montgomery County authorities and is released on $15,000 bond. On Sept. 15, Peterson releases a statement on child abuse charges. Later that day, he is reinstated to the team, because he was just “disciplining a child.” Later that evening, a previous allegation of child abuse by Peterson is reported. He was not charged in the incident.

On Sept. 16, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says Peterson is innocent until proven guilty, but his actions are “a public embarrassment” to Minnesota and suggests that the running back be suspended. Sponsors adjourn their support of the team, and rightly so. It looks like he is out indefinitely until the case is resolved, and with the photos we’ve seen it will be resolved in not a good way for Peterson. No one is more concerned about child abuse than we are. We also believe in due process. This is no rush to judgment, in our opinion, although that runs rampant no matter the topic. If Peterson is convicted for the purported abuse, he will pay many times over. Will this be an example for others contemplating such levels of punishment? No, sadly, it won’t.  There’s a liberal element of pop culture that simply accepts it, which is just as sad.