BY USA TODAY
NFL appeals officer Harold Henderson has upheld Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson’s suspension, league spokesman Greg Aiello announced Friday.
“I conclude that the player has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent,” Henderson said in a statement tweeted by Aiello.
“He was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled, and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline.”
The league suspended Peterson on Nov. 18 for at least the rest of the regular season, with reinstatement no sooner than April 15, 2015.
In its appeal, the NFL Players Association argued that Peterson, 29, was punished retroactively under changes Commissioner Roger Goodell made to the personal conduct policy in August and subjected to a new and obfuscated disciplinary process.
Peterson pled no-contest last month to a misdemeanor reckless assault charge for injuring his 4-year-old son while disciplining him with a switch. The 2012 NFL MVP hasn’t played since the season opener, spending most of the season on paid leave.
