(The Root) — Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson received an outpouring of support from celebrities and fans alike on Twitter this weekend after the death of his 2-year-old son.
The child reportedly was hospitalized in South Dakota after he was attacked by his mother's boyfriend, Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, who was arrested and charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault, the Daily News reports. The South Dakota state attorney's office is seeking additional charges in light of the child's death, according to media reports.
Peterson reportedly only recently learned he was the father of the child and met him for the first time Thursday, while the boy was on life support, TMZ reports.
The Daily News says that Peterson, who is not married, has another son about the same age named Adrian Peterson Jr., and a daughter, Adeja, with a different woman. On Saturday, he asked supporters to stop tweeting the incorrect image of his deceased son.
Earlier, however, he thanked fans and friends via Twitter for a wellspring of support. Here are some of the tweets that went out from celebrities:
Sending my deepest condolences to @AdrianPeterson and his family.