Peterson, Hardy off active list

In this Dec. 15, 2013, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Greg Hardy watches before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers announced Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, that they've placed Hardy on the exempt-commissioner's permission list, meaning the Pro Bowl defensive end has been removed from the team's active roster until his domestic violence case is resolved.
In this Dec. 15, 2013, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Greg Hardy watches before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers announced Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, that they've placed Hardy on the exempt-commissioner's permission list, meaning the Pro Bowl defensive end has been removed from the team's active roster until his domestic violence case is resolved.

The Carolina Panthers have finally made a decision on Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy, and the Minnesota Vikings have done an about-face with running back Adrian Peterson.

Both have been declared out for an unspecified period of time because of their recent off-field problems.

The Panthers placed Hardy on the exempt-commissioner's permission list just hours after the Vikings took a similar disciplinary approach with Peterson. Hardy has been removed from the Panthers' active roster until his domestic violence case is resolved. The Minnesota running back is addressing child abuse charges in Texas.

Both may miss the remainder of the season.

Hardy was convicted July 15 of assault on a female and communicating threats after the victim said the 6-4, 275-pound player threw her in the bathtub and onto a sofa covered with guns before threatening to kill her. Hardy is appealing the ruling, and a jury trial is set for Nov. 17.

He will continue to be paid his weekly salary of $770,588.23. Hardy also is allowed to be at the team facility but will not practice.

Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman said it was a tough decision given the changing climate in the NFL.

"Our overriding goal has always been to do the right thing," Gettleman said.

The general manager said he expects Hardy to be out at least through November.

Vikings executives emerged Wednesday from a late-night deliberation to voice regret of their initial decision to let Peterson play this week after sitting him for a game once he was charged with injuring his 4-year-old son by spanking him with a wooden switch. Now Peterson is back on paid leave through a special roster exemption granted by the NFL.

"We will support Adrian during this legal and personal process, but we firmly believe this is the right decision," said Wilf, the team's co-owner with younger brother Mark Wilf.

During a 17-minute news conference at Vikings headquarters, the word "right" was used a total of 34 times by owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, vice president Kevin Warren and General Manager Rick Spielman. They expressed concern about child welfare, recognized their role as public figures and reminded the audience of the community service work done regularly by players.

The most emphatic responses, though, came to questions from reporters about external pressure.

Did the NFL strong-arm the decision? Did the loss of sponsorships drive it?

"Absolutely not," Mark Wilf, the team president, said on both subjects. "We appreciate our fans, men and women alike, our sponsors and the community. We hear their input."

Backlash was swift to the announcement Monday that Peterson would rejoin the Vikings after being held out Sunday. The Radisson hotel chain suspended its team sponsorship. Prominent NFL advertisers, including Anheuser-Busch, raised concern about recent off-the-field problems. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton called for Peterson's suspension.

Picked for six Pro Bowls in his first seven seasons, Peterson's popularity took a huge hit. He was dropped this week from several of his endorsement deals. Shoe giant Nike suspended its sponsorship deal, saying it "in no way condones child abuse or domestic violence of any kind and has shared our concerns with the NFL."

"It is important to always listen to our fans and the community and our sponsors," Zygi Wilf said, at least vaguely contradicting his brother's denial that revenue had an impact on the decision to reverse course.

US Bank spokesman Dana Ripley said the company, a strong candidate for naming rights on the Vikings new stadium set to open in 2016, agreed with the decision to put Peterson on hiatus.

"We have been in close communication with the Vikings organization for the past couple of days firmly expressing our perspective," Ripley said.

Peterson's case remains under review per the league's personal conduct policy, spokesman Greg Aiello said, so a suspension could still be possible once resolution in court is reached. That's not expected until 2015. Peterson has an Oct. 8 court appearance scheduled in Montgomery County, outside of Houston.

His attorney, Rusty Hardin, said the case "will be up to a judge and jury to decide, which is the way it should be," indicating a plea deal was not in the works.

Peterson, 29, said he was administering the same type of discipline he experienced growing up and didn't meant to hurt his son. Peterson also said he's met with a psychologist and acknowledged alternatives "that may be more appropriate" than corporal punishment.

Hardy said he understands he needs to step away from football and take care of his legal problems.

"I am entitled to due process and my day in court, and that's where my focus should be," Hardy said in a statement. "I appreciate the Panthers for giving me this opportunity and look forward to being back with my teammates. I am disappointed to leave my teammates and the Carolina Panthers during our season. My decision to take a leave of absence allows me to focus on my family until the legal process has run its course."

Had Hardy not taken a the leave of absence with pay, he likely would have faced an unpaid suspension from the league.

"Today, Greg Hardy made a decision to take a voluntary leave of absence to resolve his pending legal issue," the NFL Players Association said in released a statement Wednesday. "The NFLPA and NFL worked with Greg, his representatives and the Carolina Panthers on this matter. We support this decision and hope the best for him and his family."

Earlier Wednesday, with security around the stadium amped up, Hardy and his agent Drew Rosenhaus emerged from the team's facility, stepped into the player's Bentley and drove away. Earlier, two police officers on motorcycles guarded the entrance to the team's practice facility.

Panthers Coach Ron Rivera was 20 minutes late arriving to Wednesday's practice and said that Hardy would not participate in workouts as he walked past reporters. The coach later said he had a 90-minute conversation with the defensive end to make sure Hardy was in a good place.

"Greg's hurt, he really is," Rivera said. "It's a tough situation, and he knows he put himself in it. He was apologetic."

Rivera said he expects Hardy to take a few days away and return to the team "in due time."

"He's still a part of this football team," Rivera said.

Hardy, who was tagged as the team's franchise player this offseason and signed a one-year, $13.1 million deal, is Carolina's top pass rusher. He tied a franchise record with 15 sacks last season and has 26 in in his past 32 games.

Sports on 09/18/2014

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