Federal judge overturns Peterson suspension

Adrian Peterson

A federal judge has overturned the NFL's suspension of Adrian Peterson, clearing the way for the six-time Pro Bowl running back to return to action at the beginning of next season.

Judge David Doty issued a 16-page ruling on Thursday saying the NFL's arbitrator exceeded his authority in suspending the Minnesota Vikings running back, although the governing body can appeal the decision.

The NFL suspended Peterson on November 18 after he pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless assault involving the discipline of his four-year-old son.

The organisation designated the suspension to cover "at least" the final three games of the 2014 season and fined Peterson six weeks' pay.

Peterson appealed the suspension and the NFL Players' Association (NFLPA) argued that the time he had already missed in 2014 should count as time served.

But the suspension was upheld by an arbitrator, ruling that Peterson's placement on the commissioner's exempt list did not qualify as discipline. Under the suspension, Peterson would have been eligible to apply for reinstatement to the NFL on April 15.

The NFLPA released a statement from executive director DeMaurice Smith following the ruling. It read: "This is a victory for the rule of law, due process and fairness.

"Our collective bargaining agreement has rules for implementation of the personal conduct policy and when those rules are violated, our union always stands up to protect our players' rights.

"This is yet another example why neutral arbitration is good for our players, good for the owners and good for our game."

The NFL released a statement Thursday evening to say it would appeal the ruling.

"Judge Doty’s order did not contain any determinations concerning the fairness of the appeals process under the CBA, including the commissioner’s longstanding authority to appoint a designee to act as hearing officer," the statement says.

"Even so, we believe strongly that Judge Doty’s order is incorrect and fundamentally at odds with well-established legal precedent governing the district court’s role in reviewing arbitration decisions.

"As a result, we have filed a notice of appeal to have the ruling reviewed by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. In the interim, Adrian Peterson will be returned to the Commissioner Exempt List pending further procedings by appeals officer Harold Henderson or determination by the Eighth Circuit Court."

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