Peterson Absence Tough But Real For Vikings
NFL teams make succession plans all the time for players moving past their prime. The sudden absence of Adrian Peterson from Minnesota's backfield, however, could not have been anticipated.
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NFL teams make succession plans all the time for players moving past their prime. The sudden absence of Adrian Peterson from Minnesota's backfield, however, could not have been anticipated.
The child abuse investigation involving Minnesota Viking running back Adrian Peterson continues to shake up the NFL, fans and even former players. Now one of the greatest players in Minnesota Vikings history is speaking out with strong words for Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Vikings and Peterson.
Twin Cities criminal defense attorney Joe Tamburino stopped by the WCCO This Morning show on Thursday to give his take on the case and what's next for Adrian Peterson. He won't be stepping on a football field until the legal matter is resolved, and there's a chance he may never play for the Vikings again.
The Adrian Peterson case has opened up a national conversation about how to respond when a child misbehaves. On Monday, Peterson released a statement saying in part, "I'm not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser."
The Minnesota Vikings owners admitted Wednesday that they made a mistake when it came to the decisions regarding RB Adrian Peterson's status with the team, after last week's child abuse charges surfaced.
The Vikings team has had to endure a week of uncertainty and maintain that life will be normal if they just focus on New Orleans. The attempts at normalcy came at practice Wednesday in Winter Park.
From the cover of the New York Daily News on Monday that featured a smiling Vikings fan carrying a switch, to the dozens of reporters and photographers who descended on Winter Park Wednesday for a news conference, criticism of the team has been harsh. As the Vikings owners explained yet another about face, the analysis from ESPN's analysts was tough.
Nike announced Wednesday that it would be suspending its contract with Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in light of his recent child abuse charges. "Nike in no way condones child abuse or domestic violence of any kind and has shared our concerns with the NFL," a press representative for the company said.
The Vikings hold a title the team doesn't celebrate – the most players arrested in the NFL. According to USA Today, 45 Minnesota Vikings have been arrested since 2000. That's double the league average.
For as long as he's been in the NFL, Adrian Peterson has been one of the most popular and most marketable stars in the league, an approachable superstar with the kind of inspirational comeback story that made him an endorser's dream.
The fallout is coming from all angles in the Adrian Peterson case. From the actual criminal charges to the Vikings decision to have him return this week, the politicians voicing their displeasure over that move to sponsors dropping out, and some charity team activities canceled Tuesday, the fallout is big.
A Mankato restaurant got considerable flak over the weekend after telling customers on Facebook that if they came in wearing an Adrian Peterson jersey they could spank their server.
A Twin Cities advertising executive thinks some of the backlash that's happening because of the Adrian Peterson indictment will eventually fade, and won't hurt the Vikings organization. Doug Spong is president of the Spong agency.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says Vikings running back Adrian Peterson should have stayed suspended until an accusation of child abuse was resolved in the legal system.
Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said Monday that the decision to play Peterson has nothing to do with him as a football player.
Monday evening, Radisson said it's suspending its limited sponsorship of the Vikings while it evaluates the facts and circumstances of the case.
The Adrian Peterson child abuse case is not the first time a Viking player has been in trouble. But how the Vikings are handling this case is a bit different. Vikings players have been arrested 45 times since 2000 for crimes ranging from assault, to drunk driving, to disorderly conduct.
Adrian Peterson issued a statement and was at the team facility Monday, but was not in the locker room to elaborate. His teammates, however, did.
Minnesota Vikings fans are deeply divided not only on their opinions about the Adrian Peterson child abuse allegations, but on how the team reacted.
The Minnesota Vikings announced Monday morning that running back Adrian Peterson will practice this week and play Sunday at New Orleans. Hours later, Peterson issued a statement on the incident, opening up about the child abuse allegations for the first time.
Here is the full text of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's statement, which he released Monday. He has been charged with child abuse for striking his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.
The attorney for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says he will seek to delay Peterson's initial court appearance in Texas on a child abuse charge. Peterson is scheduled to enter a plea at a Wednesday hearing in Conroe, Texas.
A roundup of fan comment on Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson's indictment on a child abuse charge, gathered outside TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday, when the Vikings lost 30-7 to New England.
The New England Patriots took full advantage of Adrian Peterson's absence, though he might not have made much of a difference. Six sacks, four interceptions from Matt Cassel and a blocked field goal for a touchdown doomed the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, as the Patriots breezed to a 30-7 win, coach Bill Belichick's 200th.
Plenty of No. 28 purple jerseys showed up for Sunday's Minnesota Vikings home opener. None were worn by the face of the franchise.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
A man and a woman are dead, and two others, including a 1-year-old boy, are injured after a crash in Thompson Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine straight games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl.
The World Junior Championship tournament kicked off in Minnesota on Friday. For those eager to check it out, there's a free fan experience called the Bold North Breakaway.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
The weeklong festival of Kwanzaa began on Friday with much fanfare at Lake Street's Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
Minneapolis officials have banned government officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from using city lots and ramps as a staging area to enforce federal immigration laws, according to an updated city ordinance.
Police in Roseville, Minnesota, are investigating after they said officers found a man injured at the scene of a reported shooting on Friday morning.
A man and a woman are dead, and two others, including a 1-year-old boy, are injured after a crash in Thompson Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
As Christmas trees across the nation come down, a farm in Elk River, Minnesota, is finding a new purpose for the pines.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
Hockey moms are a community, one that Jacqueline Nowakowski had no idea she'd need as much as she does.
A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional Slender Man has been ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital after she escaped from her group home last month.
Several schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting delayed starts on Monday amid a messy morning commute.
The U.S. Justice Department has sued three states, including Illinois and Wisconsin, and D.C. for not turning over requested voter information to the Trump administration.
Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers are raising alarms about judicial independence and say they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
Minneapolis officials have banned government officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from using city lots and ramps as a staging area to enforce federal immigration laws, according to an updated city ordinance.
The Veterans Affairs Department is reimposing a near total ban on abortions for veterans and their families that was modified in 2022.
President Trump says the U.S. launched powerful and deadly strikes against Islamic state forces in Nigeria, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Strikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria come after President Trump spent weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
This season of giving can really do a number on our recycling systems. But we can all be part of the solution.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
Twin Cities shoppers were out and about on Super Saturday, the second-busiest shopping day of the year. The day lands on the final Saturday before Christmas annually.
Buy now, pay later plans are becoming more popular for shoppers this holiday season.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Police in Roseville, Minnesota, are investigating after they said officers found a man injured at the scene of a reported shooting on Friday morning.
Minneapolis police say they're investigating a "suspicious death" after a woman's body was discovered inside a vehicle Tuesday morning.
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
A 63-year-old West St. Paul, Minnesota, man accused of pointing a gun at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent says the agent also pointed a gun at him, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Minneapolis police are investigating after they say a man suffered "potentially life-threatening injuries" in a stabbing on Thursday morning.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
The Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association says of the middle and high schools they know of, only 49% have an athletic trainer providing some level of service.
From 2021 to 2025, Smart Therapy Center submitted claims totaling $31.8 million across all Minnesota Department of Human Services programs, according to that data. But the provider was only approved for a fraction of those payments.
The family of a Minnesota Vikings player who died at training camp from heat exhaustion in 2001 is still fighting to protect others.
A Twin Cities metro area school shifted to e-learning after a flu outbreak impacted nearly a quarter of its students. A senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health said flu season is "definitely picking up."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Feeding America's CEO said the organization is "incredibly grateful" for Taylor Swift's large donation.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine straight games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl.
The World Junior Championship tournament kicked off in Minnesota on Friday. For those eager to check it out, there's a free fan experience called the Bold North Breakaway.
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to practice the process of winning in December despite being eliminated from contention for the playoffs.
Hockey moms are a community, one that Jacqueline Nowakowski had no idea she'd need as much as she does.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Fear and uncertainty continue in Minnesota's Somali communities as ICE continues its intensified focus on the Twin Cities.
Opposition to ICE actions is widespread among Democratic elected officials throughout the state, though nowhere more than in Minneapolis, home to the state's largest Somali population.
Minnesotans who welcomed a child this year were able to start applying this week to the state's new paid family and medical leave program to take time off in 2026.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
According to the Smithsonian Magazine and Britannica, eggnog has British roots.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
The story of "The Wizard of Oz " is 125 years old, yet still reinventing itself in all kinds of forms.
It's the time of year when we accumulate the most stuff. When we do, people often throw around the word "hoarding." But it turns out it's a frequently misunderstood term.
Why do we have oily or dry skin? A dermatologist explains the root cause and how it can change over time.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A large area of northern Minnesota is under a winter weather advisory until 5 a.m. on Saturday due to the potential for freezing rain, NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows says. Temperatures in the Twin Cities that day will reach the low 40s.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
After struggling during a warm winter last year, the Ice Castles are making a triumphant return to Minnesota. And they’re opening their doors earlier than usual. Conor Wight reports from Falcon Heights.
High temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s across Minnesota on Saturday before colder weather moves in, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.
Wind chills next week will dip below zero degrees, with cool and breezy conditions early in the week, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.
Emily Pohl, one of the top girls hockey players in Minnesota, is chasing another state title. She comes from a pair of iconic Minnesota hockey names and is breaking with tradition. Ren Clayton explains.
Jax Taylor was a freshman hockey player in Minnesota in 2024. At that time, he was hoping to play for his father, the head coach at Lakeville North. As Mike Max reports, an incident involving a tipped four-wheeler nearly prevented that from happening. Plus, Eagan and St. Louis Park were two of several basketball squads to compete on the day after Christmas. We have highlights.
A large area of northern Minnesota is under a winter weather advisory until 5 a.m. on Saturday due to the potential for freezing rain, NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows says. Temperatures in the Twin Cities that day will reach the low 40s.
After struggling during a warm winter last year, the Ice Castles are making a triumphant return to Minnesota. And they’re opening their doors earlier than usual. Conor Wight reports from Falcon Heights.
High temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s across Minnesota on Saturday before colder weather moves in, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.