Adrian Peterson, a Seahawk for one game, arrested at LAX for reported domestic violence
Adrian Peterson, the likely future Hall of Fame running back who played one game for the Seahawks this past season, was arrested for what police reported as possible domestic violence while he was on board a flight out of Los Angeles.
A Los Angeles Airport Police statement reported by ESPN said it received a call around 8:30 a.m. Sunday about possible domestic violence aboard a plane bound from LAX for Houston. Officers responded to what police reportedly said was “a verbal and physical altercation between a male suspect and a female victim” identified as Peterson’s wife, Ashley.
Police investigated the incident and notified the FBI. Officers reportedly arrested the 36-year-old Peterson at 9:20 a.m. Sunday. He was booked at the Los Angeles Public Department Pacific Division.
He had bail set at $50,000. He was released on bond Sunday afternoon. His wife and the other passengers on the plane flew on to Houston. Peterson has a court date scheduled for June 16.
A representative for Adrian and Ashley Peterson said in a statement provided to ESPN the couple “had a verbal argument” on the plane.
A source told ESPN Adrian Peterson grabbed his wife’s wedding ring and scratched her finger. That’s when the Houston-bound plane returned to the gate at LAX.
The source told ESPN Ashley Peterson was not going to press charges.
“This is a private misunderstanding between husband and wife and we anticipate it will all be resolved shortly,” the Petersons’ representative said in the statement to ESPN on Sunday.
Peterson was the 2012 NFL most valuable player while with the Minnesota Vikings. He played three games in November for the Tennessee Titans then signed with the Seahawks Dec. 1, onto their practice squad.
Peterson played in just one game with Seattle, Dec. 5. A lower-back injury sidelined him the final five games of the 2021 season.
Peterson had 11 carries for 16 yards in his one game with the Seahawks. He ran for his 126th career touchdown in Seattle’s home win over the playoff-bound 49ers. The touchdown tied him with legend Jim Brown for 10th in NFL history.
Peterson has 14,918 yards rushing in his 15-year career. That’s the fifth-most yards rushing in league history.
Last month Peterson said the experience he had in his short time with the Seahawks was the best of his career.
“Oh, man, the experience was top-notch,” Peterson said the day after the Seahawks’ 7-10 season, and his cameo contract with the team, ended with an upset win at Arizona Jan. 9.
“You know, I’ve been blessed to play with a lot of different organizations. I can say this is definitely, probably, the best experience I’ve had. From ownership on down to ... the cafeteria. It’s good people. ...
“So, it was an amazing experience for me, and I really enjoyed it.”
Coach Pete Carroll, running back Rashaad Penny and other Seahawks talked of the impact Peterson’s work habits and attitude had on teammates. Penny credited Peterson with turning around his mentality and career, after the running back’s four mostly lost years full of injuries with Seattle.
At the end of this past season, Carroll said he asked Peterson if he’d thought of becoming a coach.
Peterson said he hadn’t considered that. He wanted to continue playing.
“It’s so obvious. I mean, it’s really, it’s one of the obvious impressions that someone can make,” Carroll said of Peterson’s short time with the Seahawks. “It was just — the coaches, the players, everybody — the way he jumped out here and the way he worked, for whatever reason, it was just so complete. In his effort, in his focus and his intention to do the right thing, and all, that it just impressed everybody.”
In 2014 Peterson was charged with felony child abuse for using a switch to spank his then-4-year-old son. Peterson eventually pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of misdemeanor reckless assault.
He received two years probation, a $4,000 fine and was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. The NFL suspended him without pay for the final 15 games of the 2014 season.
This story was originally published February 14, 2022 at 10:21 AM.
