Article: Peterson Saga Brings Back Memories

[Otto von Ballpark]

Seth, the Puckett and Peterson situations differ in one critical way: Puckett's playing career was over when his personal shortcomings were exposed publicly. I wonder what you would have felt if that darker side to his personality had come to light in 1989 or 90. Would the Twins and/or their fans have shunned him? Would you? How would the media's treatment of him changed (if at all)?

Not only that, but the revelations about Puckett were much more immediate.  My admittedly young memory doesn't recall much of any off-the-field stuff about him prior to the post-retirement controversies.

 

Peterson, on the other hand, had the whole "7 kids with 5 different women" thing which was known at least as early as last year.  Not to mention the 100 MPH speeding ticket 5 years ago, which is admittedly tame by NFL standards but again suggests very poor judgement.  I don't think anybody should have been looking up to him as a person even before the latest allegations.

[Otto von Ballpark]

My two-and-a-half year old got her first MLB baseball from the game the other night, tossed into the stands by Miguel Cabrera, I think.  He doesn't exactly have a sterling off-the-field record either, although he's probably a boy scout by Vikings standards.

 

When she's older... do I tell her it was from him?  Do I add any kind of disclaimer?  I like to give fan-friendly players some props, and Cabrera definitely seems fan-friendly...

[Mike Sixel]

My two-and-a-half year old got her first MLB baseball from the game the other night, tossed into the stands by Miguel Cabrera, I think.  He doesn't exactly have a sterling off-the-field record either, although he's probably a boy scout by Vikings standards.

 

When she's older... do I tell her it was from him?  Do I add any kind of disclaimer?  I like to give fan-friendly players some props, and Cabrera definitely seems fan-friendly...

 

I'd tell her that she got it from Cabrera, and it was a nice act by him.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Really? You think Dan Cole only cares about child abuse in re: athletes? 

 

edit: I just defended one of my least favorite radio personalities

 

Probably not. 

 

I was stuck listening to him one day this week, unfortunately. I like to listen to Rosen at 2pm when I can but that's it. The only thing Common Man ever talks passionately about is his own golf game but he really went way over the top on this as if he was taking a controversial stand on a controversial issue. I'm just holding him up as an example of a media member who believes the only thing to do is to destroy the athlete and Vikings management but maybe he changed his tune the past few days. (by the way Vikings deserve some harsh criticism I think). I have no idea what Cole's take on Puckett is. 

[IowaTwin346]

For me when Kirby had to retire it was devestating.  While I was only 7 at the time, I grew up glued to the TV watching VHS tapes of the 87 and 91 world series.  My dad always told me during the middle of winter I wanted to watch baseball and so he popped in those tapes. He was immediately my favorite player.

 

When all of the negative events and issues started coming to light my friends thought it was fun to give me crap that my favorite player and who he was off the field.  It was then I realized he was my favorite baseball player, but I had never claimed he was my favorite person. 

 

When he passed away I was a Junior in high school and I remember my now wife, not understanding why I was upset.  Had all of the negative aspects of his life and the abuse/sexual assault stuff been out it probably would have been different, but I wore 34 because of his play, not because of him as a person.

 

That being said I will never tell my son to be like him, but if he wants to play like him I dont think I would have a problem with that.

[Steven Buhr]

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but it gets to my logical fallacy statements earlier, if it is serious.......

[Steven Buhr]

Yeah it was sarcasm, but since the original post contrasted Peterson & Puckett, I think it's fair to point out the muddy waters of using one 'hero' in a discussion of the personal failings of another.

 

I've never struck a woman and did not utilize corporal punishment to discipline my kids. But I'm far from perfect and I'm sure I did other things many people would not approve of. Things I'm not proud of.

 

It's appropriate for awareness to be raised and it's good that we can advance more civilized behavior through drawing attention to instances of abuse.

 

Just think it's also appropriate to take note of who is profiting by shining that spotlight and questioning the motives of such individuals and their employers.

 

It's those that I look forward to seeing placed under similar scrutiny for their own imperfections some day.

[brvama]

Couple of random thoughts.

 

First, the punishment metted to various athletes charged with certain crimes should be handle consistently. Why is it so difficult to be consistent? I don't care if it is murder or DUI, the fact that a charge has been brought against you should be enough to warrant the same response from any sports league. That would be at least inactive status until the judicial process is resolve. This eliminates trying to decide who should or shouldn't be punished. You break the low you are suspended from playing, period. Then let due process take its course. I would venture to say that our pro athletes may take a more conscience approach to their life style.

 

Keep in mind that #1 is my tenet, but regarding the corporal punishment issue that is a separate discussion. I am not condoning what Peterson did. But I will say that sometimes in certain instances a swat on the backside is the only thing left to do. It happened to me and my wife had to pick out her own switch. Neither of us used that as a our preferred punishment. Did I spank my kids? Yes. However, if it is used as the primary correction tool that that parent needs some help. Again this is a whole different issue. I still say that AP should be suspended from play. He has charges against. It doesn't matter what I think of corporate punishment.

 

Finally. If everyone is treated the same when charges are filed there should be no issue of what to do. They are no longer available to pursue their career until the charges are judicated.

[USAFChief]

Anyone else get the feeling we've seen Adrian Peterson's last Viking game ever?

[Craig Arko]

Anyone else get the feeling we've seen Adrian Peterson's last Viking game ever?

I think the sponsors will see to that. But the Cowboys won't care.

[PseudoSABR]

If people are willing to blame the media for meddling in the private lives of professional athletes, they can certainly blame that same media as well as the coaches and managers and family members who insulate (and empower) such athletes to the point where they think such violent domestic relationships are legal much less appropriate.  

 

Violence is never appropriate in any domestic relationship, and often is illegal; please let's have more public exposure of people who privately believe otherwise.