Adrian Peterson after plea deal: 'I truly regret the incident'

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NFL star running back Adrian Peterson chose to put an end to the criminal court proceedings against him for the "whoopings" he gave his 4-year-old son that prosecutors called felony child injury by pleading "no contest" to a lesser misdemeanor charge of reckless assault.

With hopes of returning to play for the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson entered the plea to the Class A misdemeanor in a Montgomery County courtroom on Tuesday. The agreement carries two years of probation, a $4,000 fine and 80 hours of community service. Half of the community service must be spent working on public service announcements about proper parenting.

"I will accept a no-contest plea," Judge Kelly Case told Peterson, as the player, prosecutors and Peterson's attorney stood before him.

"Thank you, your honor," Peterson, 29, told the judge.

Under the agreement, Peterson will be permitted to see the 4-year-old son he was charged with abusing when he disciplined the boy with a small branch, or switch, and a belt. No restrictions were placed on those visits.

(center) Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson speaks with the media before departing from the Montgomery County courthouse in Conroe, TX Tuesday November 4, 2014. Peterson avoided jail time in a plea agreement reached with prosecutors to resolve a child abuse case involving Peterson's 4-year-old son. less (center) Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson speaks with the media before departing from the Montgomery County courthouse in Conroe, TX Tuesday November 4, 2014. Peterson avoided jail time in a ... more Photo: Billy Smith II, Billy Smith II | Houston Chronicle Photo: Billy Smith II, Billy Smith II | Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 81 Caption Close Adrian Peterson after plea deal: 'I truly regret the incident' 1 / 81 Back to Gallery

"I truly regret the incident," Peterson told reporters after the brief court proceeding. "I take full responsibility for my action. I love my son more than any of you know. I am anxious to be back with him. I'm glad this is over and I can put it behind me."

The agreement opens a door for Peterson's return to the NFL, though league Commissioner Roger Goodell will likely have the final say on whether the 2012 league MVP plays again this season.

"We will review the matter, including the court record, and then make a determination on his status. We cannot provide a timetable," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email before the plea was formally entered.

Peterson could have faced a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $4,000 fine for the misdemeanor charge of felony assault.

Under the terms of his probation, Peterson will be required to undergo mandatory drug testing and will have to report to a probation officer monthly.

The agreement puts an end to prosecutors' efforts to revoke Peterson's bail because of his alleged admission that he had smoked "a little weed" while the child injury case was working its way through the courts.

After the court proceeding, Peterson was flocked by autograph-seekers and someone who appeared to be dressed as a Wildcat, the team mascot for Peterson's high school in Palestine, Texas. The man carried a "Free AP" sign.

"Let's get on to playing football," the man yelled.

Rusty Hardin, the attorney for Peterson, praised the outcome as a "fair, just resolution to a complicated social issue."

"The facts have never been in contention as Adrian has always accepted responsibility," said Hardin, who praised prosecutors for having the "courage to do what is right."

"AP wants to get on with his life and his relationship with his son and on to playing football," Hardin said.

Asked if he would be permitted to play again, Peterson declined comment and Hardin said, "It's in the hands of the NFL."

Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said the no-contest plea represents "the beginning for Peterson."

"He has a long way to go, to see that he satisfies all the conditions of his probation," Ligon said.

Ligon stressed that he was honoring the wishes of the child's mother, who lives with the boy in Minnesota, in bringing a resolution to the case and allowing Peterson to see his son.

"This is more about a child and a single mom, who is doing a great job under dfficult circumjstances," Ligon said. He added that corporal punishment is legal in Texas but that "this went beyond what is reasonable."

Ligon said the boy's mother was struggling to keep her child out of what he labeled a "circus."

"This is about modifying behavior," Ligon said of the state's position. "This is not about putting Peterson in prison. When all is said and done, he will still be a father to a 4-year-old child."

Minnesota authorities had sought a protective order to prevent Peterson from any contact with the 4-year-old boy — one of six children that he has had with different mothers. In the document filed for the order, authorities said the boy was injured while visiting Peterson at his gated $5 million home in The Woodlands in May. The report said the child had visible encrusted bruises to his backside and his scrotum.

Peterson acknowledged punishing his son with "whoopings" but maintained that he was trying to discipline him in the same way he had been as a child and never intended any harm.

Peterson entered the courtroom around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, appearing tense as he sat in his black suit next to his wife, Ashely. His mother and stepfather were also by his side.

The courtroom was packed with those in jail uniforms and their lawyers waiting for a docket call.

Peterson exited the courtroom briefly, presumably for the required urinalysis. His wife waitedin the pew, silently dressed in her sleek white dress and six-inch fashion heels.

Peterson has been sidelined from play since shortly after his indictment in September for reckless or negligent child injury, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Peterson was placed on Goodell's exemption list. He has played only one of the eight games this season while continuing to collect his $11.75 million annual salary.

With the plea, it was unclear whether Peterson would face additional punishments under the NFL's new personal conduct policy. Goodell and the league have faced criticism for being too tepid and lenient in the handling of NFL players accused of domestic violence.

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has not divulged what parameters would be used to allow Peterson to return to play.

"Adrian has always been a top-notch and first-class player," Zimmer said Monday. "But I'm not going to speculate."

A possible return for Peterson could be complicated by his alleged admission to a court officer that he had smoked "a little weed" while out on bail. Prosecutors said the admission came during his first court appearance Oct. 9 after he was taken from the courtroom for a uranalyis, a drug test that is a routine condition of bail. Prosecutors did not reveal the results of this test, saying it was sent off to a drug lab for confirmation.

The NFL, which recently revised its drug policy to allow higher levels of marijuana in a player's system to account for potential secondhand smoke, has a tiered system of punishments for players who abuse the drug. Officials would not speculate as to what that means for Peterson.

Ligon signed off on the plea agreement several weeks after he unsuccessfully tried to have Case, with whom he has clashed repeatedly over the past year, removed as the judge on the Peterson case.

Prosecutors contended that Case was biased after calling attorneys on both sides of the Peterson case "media whores." Case's apology didnt satisfy prosecutors, who filed a recusal motion that was later denied by a retired Fort Worth judge.