NFL superstar Adrian Peterson’s son has died at a South Dakota hospital after he was allegedly beaten by the boy’s mother’s boyfriend, according to multiple reports.
The all-world running back was absent from Minnesota Vikings practice on Thursday to be in Sioux Falls, S.D., Stu Whitney of the Argus Leader reported Thursday.
It was first reported the victim was his 2-year-old, Adrian Jr., but the Nelson Peterson, the running back’s father, said it was another one of Adrian’s children, who is also 2.
“We are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as deal with this tragic situation,” Nelson Peterson told former Vikings reporter Sean Jensen.
Joseph Patterson, 27, has been charged with aggravated felony assault and battery of an infant after he allegedly gave Peterson’s son “severe head injuries.” According to the report, law enforcement and emergency responders arrived at the apartment where Peterson’s son lives at 5:46 p.m. on Wednesday and found the child unresponsive. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors determined his injuries were consistent with abuse.
Peterson returned to the team Friday. He declined to address the situation specifically, but said he would play Sunday against the Panthers.
Peterson smiled politely while he took questions, but he spoke softly with a somber expression with dozens of cameras, recorders and media members surrounding him in the locker room, according to the Associated Press.
“I’ll be ready to roll, focused,” Peterson said. “Football is something I will always fall back on. It gets me through tough times. Just being around the guys in here, that’s what I need.”
The reigning league MVP is second in the NFL with 421 rushing yards and leads the league with five rushing touchdowns. He scored twice and rushed for 140 yards in Minnesota’s last game, a 34-27 win over the Steelers two weeks ago. The Vikings are coming off their bye week and face Carolina on Sunday.