In the midst of a major investigation into accusations of child abuse, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says his departure from the team could be best for him and the organization, the Associated Press reports.
Peterson thinks the coaches and players stand behind him, acccording to AP, citing a report from USA Today. But, the report says, he believes that feelings within the organization have been mixed since he was charged with felony child abuse in Texas for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. Peterson pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault.
"I know who loves me," Peterson told USA Today. "The coaches and the players, it's not going to be a problem. I've felt so much support from those guys. The organization, I know there's people in the organization that support me and there's people that I know internally that has not been supporting me."
As a result of concerns over what he sees as a lack of support from Vikings management, Peterson told the newspaper that he has given a lot of thought to making a fresh start with a different team.
"I would love to go back and play in Minnesota to get a feel and just see if my family still feels comfortable there," he said. "But if there's word out that, hey, they might release me, then so be it. I would feel good knowing that I've given everything I had in me."
Read more at Yahoo News.