Like it or not, public figures like our sports heroes are role models for children and adults alike. When we excuse horrible behavior because they "play good", we are effectively teaching people that it is acceptable to break laws and hurt others without consequences, and even worse, be cheered and further championed. He is in a position where he would be admired and emulated by children. He had a responsibility to simply not do anything so shockingly violent. That is not such a high bar. Perhaps, perhaps if he were to fully accept the responsibility for his actions and make a full public showing at reparations, such as someone indicated Michael Vick has done, then he could be allowed a second chance. In a situation like this, with so much at stake for the next generation, a second chance must be painfully earned.
I'm almost positive child abuse is punishable by jail time. So, why should it be any different for him? NO
anyone who does this sort of thing should NOT be allowed to continue as if they didn't do anything. He should not return to the NFL
Does Peterson think this was a terrible mistake? That's the question. What has he done besides try to get his job back? Is he helping abused children? Donating to shelters for homeless kids? Has Adrain Peterson self examined himself? Has he addressed his aggression issues? Has he came to grips with his physical strength and what seems to be a problem with anal aggression? He has a long check list. No one will ever view this man in the same light again. The same goes for Ray Rice. The same went for Mike Vick. Never could or will or did they become "role models" agian. They are tainted. It's not like these athletes are a part of someone's daily life. They don't teach our kids. They don't change the oil with our sons and daughter for the first time. The don't care for them when they are sick. And they teach them to be good caring loving people. Who is the last althele to come on a kids game and talk politics? Or manipulate the youth into having a certain view point? Jim Brown maybe? Sports was successfully used in racial unity. To show we all can get along and work together. For people of all walks of life to find common ground and enjoy one another. Beating women and children would never be looked at in a fashion we have to worry about those individual being role models for children once it has been exposed.
I'm true something new and making several opinion threads per week to give forummers something interesting to comment on. The topics I'm selecting generally revolve around current events and should have people in forum naturally falling on one side or the other. Its simply meant to be engaging.
When does their status of role model actually effect the development of children? They do not teach them anything King. You are speaking non sense. Plain and simple. Teachers and parents have the most influence on the children. Like it or not.
The role model excuse is just that a excuse. It's a excuse for someone you don't like to be looked down upon and punished in a way you see fit. Because you don't like them. Just say I don't like them. They shouldn't be allowed to work a high paying job as a athlete. Don't use the kids as a piss poor excuse. Those guys will never be seen as a role model again. Really. Peterson won't be look at the same way by anyone. Football or not. His public humiliation isn't a free pass. It isn't him getting away with anything. His struggle to get his job back is evident. I know why you guys hang on this forum now. Kids are the only one who would believe this garbage. You guys need to disclose your personal information. So we can determine if you can be proper community stars that influence our kids. You may have a Skelton in your closet, and be unacceptable as a role model on this forum. You address more children then Adrain Peterson.
@Hydra - read all the way down moose's post. There is a clear expression of remorse. Of course whether its genuine and for the right reasons we'll never know. Do sportsman have a moral obligation to act in a certain way because society has elected them to be role models? Im not sure that they do. They have a responsibility to act in a manner that does not discredit their employer or negatively impact on their ability to do their job, same as everyone else. Whether his team thinks he has done that is up to that team to decide. Sportsman should have no greater social responsibility than that, no greater social responsibility than you or I. Its for parents to imbue their children with morals, not handegg players.
Athletes that play for the entertainment of the masses have one obligation, play their best at their sport for the entertainment of the masses. It shouldn't matter what the person has done in their past. If they serve they punishment which he is clearly going to do, then there is absolutely no reason they shouldn't be able to go back to their job of entertaining people. Stop trying to put athletes on a pedestal they aren't on.
To be honest I think what he did wasn't wrong but just because he is a high profile person the case was brought up.
I agree. People make them out to mean more than they do. The media has the power to not use them in advertising. The only real influence they have. Selling product. Which monkeys have been known to do. Like I said they don't teach anyone anything. They aren't the teachers they aren't the parents. They don't shape young minds or influence anyone's personal views. They really don't have the platform to do so. They are just jocks.
The NFL is too lenient, they let people who have went to jail play aka Michael Vick. Wasn't there speculation about Ray Lewis killing two people? I mean c'mon these people are whom little kids look up to and wish to emulate. Little Jimmy's childhood hero was convicted for the setup of dog fighting, served jail time. Adrian Peterson beat his kid with a stick, if Adrian Peterson comes back ray rice wouldn't be too far behind.
I'll be the one with the unpopular opinion here. By all accounts, up to this incident, Peterson is a good guy. He's not a thug or a gangsta like many NFL players. He comes from down south. Whipping your child with a switch(tree branch) is and has been a popular/common method of child discipline for a very long time. My parent's weapon of choice was a big wooden kitchen spoon, spanking, or a backhand to the face. His son pushed another kid off of a bike and that other kid got hurt. When Peterson found out, he made his son pick a switch and then he beat him with it. Now let me say this. I am a parent and we have chosen not to use physical violence as punishment. No spanking. No slapping. No nothing. It's just not our thing. Any parent reading this knows that the decision is a personal decision. I don't judge the parents who choose to whoop their kids a little when the kids deserve it. That's what Peterson was trying to do here. The mother of the boy has already admitted that she and Peterson agree on the method of punishment and that they've both done it before. But he took it too far. I've seen the pictures of the wounds and they were too much. It looks more like torture than a punishment. I want to add two more things and then I'll be done and let the trolls take shots at me. First, if more parents put a little whoopin' on their kids nowadays, we'd have more respectful children, less school shootings and violence, and the world would be a better place. Second, I truly believe that he should still be allowed to play football and move on with his life. He is not a child assaulter. He is a good parent who took it too far this time and I guarantee it will never happen again.
I call for every defensive end, safeties, linebackers, hell even cornerbacks.. ...to kick AP in the balls when you are tackling him.. I would.. Here's my thought.. If you want to discipline your child in some 'old school' beating, not cool but hey I respect your rights as parents to DO parenting (I personally rather do "No Wifi for a week" punishment..) But.. You gotta know what physical abuse is! AP, you are 6'1" , 217 all muscle that steamrolls over top linebackers in the NFL!!! Don't you want to consider Physics of muscle and impact force before you determine a physical punishment on a child!!?? (E=1/2mv^2.. Remember that) Oh and here's my real point... He did! And he still decided to deliver punishment by applying 150 Kilo Newton of impact force on a child's body.. Repeatedly.. ..THAT's not parenting.. THAT's Assult.. THAT's child abuse.. THAT's Illegal PS: Many people abuse their kids every day... Please stop.. Plesase think it all through.. YOU are the adult.. ️
Please explain how this is a result of today's society. This is an act of evil. Also, he does not love his children!!! Who in there right mind would do something like that to someone they love!
As I said, like it or not, they are public figures and are subject to greater responsibility for their actions. Not too many accountants have their pictures on cereals with the implication that one day, if you eat this product, you too can be nationally adored, respected, and emulated. Some people want to separate that from the game itself, and let him be seen as a beloved hero to sports fans everywhere. I understand that. However it is a myopic to think that his outside actions have no consequences for all the people who do look up to these athletes, and want to emulate them. For example, just look at how many people are now defending hitting kids until their parts bleed, hitting women and dragging them out of an elevator, and putting dogs in a ring to fight. And that is just in KaW itself. The defense of these men shows exactly the adverse effects their actions as adored public figures have. Pretending otherwise is delusional. In the end, it is up to the NFL if they want to tell people they condone these actions and this behavior. Do not indulge in domestic or child abuse. Not too high a standard to maintain.
Lol at the gansta and thug comment. That's their appearance. Unless you know them personally, you would never know if they are good guys are not.