It sounds like Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson may have caught a break in his pending felony child abuse case. The former MVP has reportedly reached a plea deal that will allow him to plead no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault. That deal will mean that if Judge Kelly Case accepts it, Peterson will be placed on probation, have to pay a $2,000 fine and also be expected to complete 80 hours of community service. Ironically this plea will also take any mention of abuse against a minor or family violence off the books completely.

Perhaps the real question and possibility of punishment will ultimately come from the NFL itself. Peterson has already missed 8 games this season and is still subject to discipline under the league's personal conduct policy. The NFL has found itself under fire in instances involving several players that have domestic violence cases that are pending. They have revamped their policies with regards to the type of punishment players accused of such crimes will now face within the league itself.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has faced heavy criticism and calls for his resignation due to the overwhelming feeling that he has helped to sweep these cases under the rug in the recent past rather than hold his players accountable. This situation with Peterson is now an opportunity for Goodell to step up and show that he is serious about following through on stricter new policies. Do you think that he will actually do it?

What are your thoughts on the plea deal that Peterson has reportedly struck? Should the mention of of abuse or violence against his own child be wiped from the record? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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