The 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is in critical condition in a South Dakota hospital, and a man who police say was caring for the child has been arrested.
Peterson addressed reporters Friday afternoon. He thanked the team for its support and asked for privacy, saying he wouldn't the address the "private matter."
"All I can say is, we are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as we deal with this tragic situation," said the player's father, Nelson Peterson, who told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the child was Adrian Peterson's son.
Joseph Patterson, 27, is being held on two felony counts of aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault domestic. He was in court Friday for a probable cause hearing where bail was expected to be discussed.
Peterson, who spoke to reporters Friday at the team's facility, said he will play Sunday. The Vikings (1-3) host the Carolina Panthers (1-3). Coach Leslie Frazier said he and Peterson will "talk more over the next 24 hours."
"I really appreciate all the support from fans and the Vikings," Peterson said. "I ask y'all to respect my privacy."
Police and an EMS crew were called to a Sioux Falls home Wednesday where the child was found unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital, according to a police statement. The child was under Patterson's care at the time and nobody else was at the home.
At the hospital, it was discovered that the child's injuries were consistent with abuse. Patterson, who police say is the boyfriend of the child's mother, was taken into custody and charged.
On Friday, Peterson said: "I will be playing Sunday, without a doubt."
As for coping with a stressful situation, he said that "I'm able to relieve a lot of my stress through sports."
He added: "One thing I always go back to is the Lord never gives you more than you can handle."
Peterson was on the field for stretching with the Vikings on Friday morning. He left for the locker room briefly during special-teams drills, which he doesn't participate in, and returned later.
"It's a cliche to say you've got each other's backs on a football team, but in a situation like this, it's a testament to a football team being a family," backup running back Toby Gerhart said.
Peterson is second in the NFL with 421 yards rushing and first in the league with five touchdowns.
ESPN.com Vikings reporter Ben Goessling contributed to this report.
Wow. Who the fuck beats up a two year old?
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