It’s been a whirlwind week for Minnesota Vikings’ star running back, Adrian Peterson. He and his family were scheduled to meet his two-year-old son for the first time at the end of this month. Unfortunately, a tragic turn of events changed the dynamic of everything when the child died on Friday.

However, Peterson intends to forge on in today’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Earlier this morning, NFL.com reported that Media Insider, Ian Rapoport spoke on the NFL Network’s “NFL GameDay Morning” in regards to Peterson’s status. Rapoport stated that Peterson will play for the Vikings in today’s game. Vikings officials also confirmed that Peterson is classified as active.

While Peterson was absent from practice on Thursday in wake of the accident, he did return to the Vikings’ facility on Friday. He also issued a brief statement of address that afternoon.
“I should start off by saying I really appreciate all the support that I’ve been receiving from fans (and) the Vikings organization,” Peterson said. “This is a private matter, and I would ask you all to please just respect my privacy and not ask at all about the situation at hand. Thanks.” The running back also indicated that he planned to play today, but it had not yet been confirmed.

For those who missed it earlier this week, Peterson’s two-year-old son was allegedly beaten by his mother’s love interest, Joseph Robert Patterson. The child sustained severe head injuries after being struck in the head with a steel rod. Paramedics reported that the boy was in ‘grave condition’ upon their arrival.

On Friday morning the child was removed from life support. At 11:43am, he died at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Patterson was arrested, and will face charges for aggravated assault and battery of an infant. The prosecution has stated that Patterson, 27, has a history of child abuse, as he had harmed the child once before. He was also convicted with similar charges after beating another child from a previous relationship.

Amid the child’s untimely death, Peterson chimed in on Twitter with a few messages to the NFL and fans thanking them for their support during this time of bereavement.

God Bless everyone and thank u so much.

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) October 11, 2013

The NFL is a fraternity of brothers and I am thankful for the tweets, phone calls and text messages from my fellow players.

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) October 11, 2013

Thank you to my family, my fans and fans of other teams for their support.

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) October 11, 2013

 
Image via Wikimedia Commons