What Should The Punishment Be For Peterson?

I would think that should get time in jail, plus years of probation, which would include required counseling. In most jurisdictions, he would have monitored visits with his children. Obviously, he should still be responsible for child support. He might also be required to pay for therapy and any additional costs to the child's family.

I see no reason for the NFL to add to this sentence, or to be involved in an way.

As far as the Vikings are considered, their considerations are different. To me, the issue is what do until there is a decision by the courts. Unfortunately, the decision could be a plea bargain, with no decision for months.

I would suggest that suspension with pay and counseling is reasonable (and I believe the action that MINN has taken, although the counseling would likely not be made public). Again, I see no reason for the team to add to the punishment by the legal authorities.

And yes, the Vikings could decide that it is simply too costly to keep Peterson, and fire him, now or at then end of the proceedings or the season. But that is a TEAM decision. Any other team could then hire him.

I agree with your opinion regarding penalties through the legal system. I disagree regarding penalties levied by the NFL. Peterson should get a minimum of the 6 game suspension dictated by the new domestic violence policy. Beating your child fits the definition of domestic violence just as well as beating your spouse does. The Vikings should make their own decision to keep or release Peterson, but whether he ever plays again for Minnesota or another team, he should not do so until he has paid the price for his actions professionally as well as legally.

Legally, if found guilty, he should be sentenced within the bounds of the law as normally practiced; that is to say, no special treatment in light of his celebrity status.

As far the Vikings, it should be up to them how they want to handle the situation. I suspect pressure will be coming from all sides for them to sever their relationship with him. It will probably make business sense for them to release Peterson, I think.

As for the NFL, the law has been laid down, given the new policy on domestic violence. A six-game suspension would fit within those rules. It's notable that there is wiggle room to go up or down depending on the circumstances of the case.

If you're debating whether or not the NFL should be involved in disciplining players, that's an entirely different discussion.

Yeah, this is a good one for the ignore thread feature.

Using NCAA terms - the death penalty sounds about right.

Perhaps you are correct.

Personally, I don't believe that the NFL should be in the business of disciplining players for off-the field actions that do not affect performance on the field. I agree that the teams must make their own personal decisions in these matters.

Nikolai said:

If you're debating whether or not the NFL should be involved in disciplining players, that's an entirely different discussion.

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mgteich said:

Perhaps you are correct.

Personally, I don't believe that the NFL should be in the business of disciplining players for off-the field actions that do not affect performance on the field. I agree that the teams must make their own personal decisions in these matters.

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Now, I'm not sure, and perhaps someone could elucidate this for me, but was the genesis of NFL involvement in disciplinary issues rooted in the fact that our legal system was/is failing to prosecute and sentence NFL "celebrities" appropriately?

If he's convicted of child abuse he should be thrown out of the league, and it shouldn't have to be a league affair or the determination of some stupid committee. It should be a position the owners take without that even being necessary. If it's a lesser charge of negligence resulting in a child's injury, I can see an eventual return after prison time and whatever else the legal system punishes him with.

Designate the Raiders to be the official penal colony of the NFL. Have players sent there to play until their sins are atoned for. Peterson would be 8 games.

mgteich said:

Perhaps you are correct.

Personally, I don't believe that the NFL should be in the business of disciplining players for off-the field actions that do not affect performance on the field. I agree that the teams must make their own personal decisions in these matters.

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I really don't know what his punishment should be. Based on the pictures is looks like he roughed up his son pretty good. In my personal opinion, the boy was abused and Peterson should be dealt with and prosecuted/punished. What he did sickens me personally but that's irrelevant to the discussion.

In terms what the league should do...hmmm...Deus and I were going back and forth in the different thread regarding revenue, Tagliabue, etc. and he got me to thinking about the NFL's history on how it has handled violence. Tags policy was to side-step these issues and left them to the police, courts and teams to resolve. He didn't take the overbearing, pro-active, judge, jury and executioner approach that Goody has.

Look at what occurred during Tags tenure.

Ray Lewis--murder
Rae Careuth--murder
Mark Chumura--sexual assault
Cornelius Bennett--rape and sexual assault
Cortez Kennedy--domestic violence
Nate Newton--sexual assault
Warren Moon--domestic violence
Jake Plummer--sexual abuse
Andre Rison--aggravated assault
Corey Dillon--domestic violence

Pretty awful.

Tags made these issues a non-league matter which is why the impact was minimal. With social media and Goody's policies, these issues are much more visible.

15 lashes from someone who out weighs him 10x using a switch and who misses his ass and gets his balls "a couple times."

6 games if he's convicted

lurker1965 said:

15 lashes from someone who out weighs him 10x using a switch and who misses his ass and gets his balls "a couple times."

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Like this guy?

If convicted banned for life... this is a heinous event. An average 4 yr. old child, weighs about 42 pounds and is 40" tall... what could this child have done to warrant such a violent response??

He said that is the way he grew up, I grew up with a father who would drink all day and drive the care with me and my sisters in it? Would I be justified driving my grandchildren around drunk, because my father did it.

The only problem I have is that this standard should apply to all professional professions, and not exclusive to the NFL....

DarrylS said:

If convicted banned for life... this is a heinous event. An average 4 yr. old child, weighs about 42 pounds and is 40" tall... what could this child have done to warrant such a violent response??

He said that is the way he grew up, I grew up with a father who would drink all day and drive the care with me and my sisters in it? Would I be justified driving my grandchildren around drunk, because my father did it.

The only problem I have is that this standard should apply to all professional professions, and not exclusive to the NFL....

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So, someone convicted of child abuse should be unemployed for life (all professions you said). I presume that you have a longer list of heinous crimes for which professions should not to employ for life.

To be clear, I find the acts as bad you do. HOWEVER, I find the society with punishments that you propose much, much more scary.