Tom Pelissero

USA TODAY Sports

The mother of the boy at the center of the Adrian Peterson case agrees with the plea deal reached Tuesday, wants Peterson to remain involved in his son's life and doesn't want the NFL to further punish the banished Minnesota Vikings star, her attorney says.

"The entire matter has been very difficult for all involved parties," attorney Kelly C. Dohm said in a statement on behalf of the boy's mother, who hasn't been named.

"She has valued her friendship with Mr. Peterson over the last seven years. She and Mr. Peterson have shared a parental relationship for four years with a fun, beautiful little boy. My client knows that Mr. Peterson loves their son very much and has confidence that he will remain an involved parent with their son throughout his life.

"My client asks the media and the public to respect her and their son's privacy. My client has no interest in Mr. Peterson's career being harmed and hopes that the NFL will not impose any additional punishment on him."

Peterson, 29, entered a no-contest plea to a reduced charge of misdemeanor reckless assault Tuesday afternoon in Texas, avoiding jail time and bringing an end to a saga that began Sept. 12, when he was indicted for injuring his son while whipping him with a tree branch in May.

The Vikings deactivated the 2012 NFL MVP for one game, briefly reinstated him and then worked with the NFL to place Peterson on the exempt list — in essence, paid leave — amid widespread backlash in the wake of the Ray Rice domestic assault case.

The NFL says it will review the matter and commissioner Roger Goodell will make a determination of potential discipline under the personal conduct policy. No timetable has been given.

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