Adrian Peterson News: Vikings Running Back Accuses NFL Of Ignoring CBA

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson explained why he did not attend a meeting with NFL officials Friday in a statement released Sunday morning. Peterson accused the league of not following the collective bargaining agreement and trying to create a different set of rules specifically for him.

Peterson was responding to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that said Peterson originally agreed to meet with the league, but backed out.

The running back gave his version of events in the statement posted to the NFL Players Association’s official website. Hoping for a speedy reinstatement after missing eight of his team's first nine games this season, Peterson was asked by the NFL to meet Friday with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office.

However, Peterson said he consulted with the union, which told him that the meeting was inconsistent with the CBA. Peterson also had several questions about the nature of the meeting, but claims the NFL did not answer any of them.

“At this point, I've resolved my matter in the criminal court; I've worked to make amends for what I've done; I've missed most of the season, and I stand ready to be candid and forthcoming with Mr. Goodell about what happened,” the statement reads. “However, I will not allow the NFL to impose a new process of discipline on me, ignore the CBA, ignore the deal they agreed to with me, and behave without fairness or accountability. The process they are pushing is arbitrary, inconsistent, and contrary to what they agreed to do, and for those reasons, I never agreed to the hearing.”

Peterson is scheduled to meet with an arbitrator Monday, who will determine whether or not he should be reinstated.

The 29-year-old former All-Pro was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list after he was indicted in Texas on child abuse charges in September. Peterson pleaded no contest to those charges last week, and is attempting to play again this season.

He could face further suspension from the league under its new policy against players involved in domestic violence. Peterson could be suspended six more games for his first violation of the league's new protocol, which was laid out in August.