Nike has ditched Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
“Adrian Peterson is no longer a Nike athlete,” said a Nike spokesperson in a very brief statement.
Peterson’s Nike deal was already suspended, following the star’s indictment. In September, a grand jury indicted Peterson on felony charges of reckless injury to a child. Police accused Peterson of injuring his four-year-old son with a switch.
Earlier this week, Peterson pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault. He’ll be fined $4,000, given 80 hours of community service to perform, and will be placed on probation. He’ll avoid jail time.
It looks like Nike was waiting for the whole this to be resolved before coming to a definite conclusion regarding Peterson’s future with the company. But now, will the case pretty much wrapped up, Nike is dropping the high-profile athlete.
Kicking off the launch of Nike Tech Pack with @nikesportswear. Coming 8.29. http://t.co/HtonatiK7G #techpack
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) August 20, 2013
Of course, the legal side of things is only part of Peterson’s troubles. His future in the NFL is now in the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell. Peterson, of course, wants to start playing again as soon as possible – but the NFL has already declined his request for immediate reinstatement.
At this point, whether or not Peterson sees the field this season is completely up in the air.
As for Nike, this is the second NFL athlete it has been forced to part ways with. Nike terminated a deal they had with former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice after that video emerged showing him knocking out his then-fiancee in an elevator.
Image via Nike, YouTube screenshot
