Scoggins: Vikings deserve scorn despite latest Peterson reversal

The Vikings don't deserve blind praise for correcting a wrong. Ultimately, they got it right, but the course they took to reach this point never made sense.

Let's not forget their initial intentions amid news that the Vikings placed Adrian Peterson on the exempt/commissioner's permission list, which will keep him away from the team until his legal case is resolved.

The team announced their abrupt change of heart after midnight. This, of course, should have been their punishment from the start, or something that reflected the seriousness of the situation. It wasn't though, because the Vikings put winning ahead of doing the right thing, and the Wilf brothers rendered a decision that was remarkably tone-deaf and insensitive and abhorrent.

"While we were trying to make a balanced decision [Monday], after further reflection we have concluded that this resolution is best for the Vikings and for Adrian," the Wilfs said in a statement. "We want to be clear: we have a strong stance regarding the protection and welfare of children, and we want to be sure we get this right."

On Monday, the Vikings, after discussing Peterson's indictment on child abuse charges with NFL officials, did nothing. No suspension, no punishment, nothing.

They did this knowing Peterson beat his 4-year-old son bloody and bruised with a stick on his buttocks, legs, even his scrotum. Ten to 15 whips, Peterson estimated to police, according to a Houston radio station that reviewed the police file.

The boy reportedly suffered defensive wounds to his hands. His injuries were so severe that a Minnesota doctor and a Texas grand jury called it abuse.

And yet, incredibly, the Vikings took no discipline against Peterson.

"We also feel strongly as an organization that this is disciplining a child," Spielman said.

By Tuesday night, they stumbled upon a moral high ground. Well, geez, wonder what changed? This about-face happened only because sponsors were upset. Radisson hotels offered the first rebuke. Then powerful Anheuser Busch expressed its disappointment with the NFL's handling of criminal case in recent weeks. And then local Nike stores removed Peterson jerseys from shelves.

And momentum started to build. The governor criticized them. An appearance by Vikings players at a local children's home was canceled. Media outlets across the country continued to lambaste the organization. Other sponsors expressed concern. And so they caved to pressure.

That's what happened here. In their arrogance, the Vikings grossly underestimated the backlash from the public and sponsors in failing to discipline Peterson. But once the fallout began to hit the Wilfs in the wallet, presto, they swung their hammer of discipline.

"We are always focused on trying to make the right decision as an organization," the statement said. "We embrace our role - and the responsibilities that go with it – as a leader in the community, as a business partner and as an organization that can build bridges with our fans and positively impact this great region. We appreciate and value the input we have received from our fans, our partners and the community."

The worst kind of leadership is reactionary in which actions are guided not by conscience but by shame. The Vikings displayed that kind of leadership in this case.

The Vikings felt the heat of an angry public and reversed course. This is the right move. It should have been their first move.

Chip Scoggins chip.scoggins@startribune.com