Indicted NFL Star: I Am Not A Child Abuser

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, center, talks with teammate Xavier Rhodes, right, on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug... Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, center, talks with teammate Xavier Rhodes, right, on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) MORE LESS
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Superstar NFL running back Adrian Peterson emphatically denied being a child abuser in a statement Monday after he was charged last week with reckless or negligent injury to a child.

“I am not a perfect son, I am not a perfect husband, I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser,” Peterson said.

He did not outright apologize for the incident, which had allegedly involved Peterson whipping his 4-year-old son with a switch, leaving bruises and bleeding wounds. However, he said that the injuries were ones that “he never intended or thought would happen” and he regretted them.

Peterson also said that he had “learned a lot and have had to reevaluate how I discipline my son moving forward.” That included meeting with a psychologist to learn “alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate,” he said.

“My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong,” Peterson said, “and that’s what I tried to do that day.”

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