NFL's Peterson Avoids Jail in Child Abuse Case

The NFL's Adrian Peterson struck a plea deal today that will keep him out of jail on child abuse charges, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Vikings star pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless assault. He'll pay a fine of $4,000 and put in 80 hours of community service. Prosecutors had brought felony charges against him after they say he used a tree branch to repeatedly swat his young son, while Peterson maintained he was using the same kind of discipline he received as a kid and didn't see it as abuse. He's been on paid leave from the team, notes AP, though the resolution of his case means he could be back on the field soon. (More Adrian Peterson stories.)