Armour: Roger Goodell and Adrian Peterson clearly need to talk
Roger Goodell has sworn he'll do whatever it takes to "get it right" when it comes to the NFL's handling of domestic abuse cases.
Here's his chance.
In a wide-ranging interview with Paste BN Sports' Tom Pelissero on Thursday night, Adrian Peterson repeatedly expressed remorse, both for whipping his young son and other choices he's made as a parent.
Peterson said he's working with both a therapist and a pastor who is certified in counseling. He said he's willing to sit down with the NFL commissioner and tell him all of this – and probably more.
So now it's Goodell's turn.
Arrange a meeting with Peterson and the NFLPA and work together to figure out an adequate and appropriate punishment that won't prompt another flurry of court filings or drag this ugly mess into next year. Because not only is Goodell's heavy-handed way of handling things not any better than his previous indifference, it's not doing anybody any good: Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings or the NFL.
Yes, revisiting Peterson's suspension so quickly would require Goodell to set aside some of his ego. In suspending Peterson for the rest of the season earlier this week, Goodell seemed to be as much in a snit over the running back not kowtowing to his disciplinary process as he was Peterson beating his son.
But this isn't about Goodell. It's not really even about Peterson, either. Or Ray Rice or Greg Hardy.
It's about finding common ground so the NFL can give victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence the support and protection they need while making sure players get the treatment and education necessary so they never commit these heinous crimes again. Or, better yet, don't commit them in the first place.
That's what matters – that's all that matters. But the acrimony and distrust between the NFL and the union has made compromise seemingly impossible, and the result is suspensions that are little more than smokescreens (from the NFL) and self-righteous indignation that is misplaced (from the union).
Both can do better. They must.
Unless, that is, they'd rather spend the next several months squabbling in legal showdowns.
PHOTOS: Adrian Peterson through the years