Adrian Peterson Support Statement

2015-02-12 · Kevin Warren, COO, Minnesota Vikings (Vikings)

Warren made these statements the same day he was promoted to COO. ESPN had previously reported that Warren, as VP of Legal Affairs, worked with the NFL to keep Peterson from playing. This public statement was damage control.

What he said

I think our organization and individuals in our organization from Zygi Wilf to Mark Wilf to Coach to Rick Spielman, all have made it very clear that they all would welcome Adrian back once he gets all the open items resolved with the league, and I feel the exact same way.

So for my feelings about Adrian, I have great respect for him as a football player and as a person. He's part of our Vikings family and I would welcome him back with open arms. And as I said, I don't think he ever left. He's still a member of our team.

Once Adrian gets his items resolved with the NFL and is free to play again and rejoin our franchise, I think it's good for Adrian, it would be good for us, it would be good for all the Vikings fans, it would be good for our community and it would be good for the NFL.

The fact-check

"I would welcome him back with open arms. And as I said, I don't think he ever left. He's still a member of our team." — Misleading: Public support contradicted by reported private efforts to keep Peterson suspended. Peterson's father stated Warren "was working to keep Adrian off the field."
"He's part of our Vikings family and I would welcome him back with open arms." — Rhetoric: Family language weaponizes fan loyalty. Same "our family" framing used in Bears communications.