Legal troubles mount for one of football's most celebrated running backs.
According to Daily Mail, Adrian Peterson, the former NFL Most Valuable Player, has two arrest warrants issued against him in Texas after failing to appear in court for child support cases.
The 39-year-old's latest legal challenges involve two separate child support cases where women from Minnesota are listed as custodial parents.
A judge recently signed a qualified domestic relations order in one of the cases, establishing the child's right to a portion of Peterson's NFL benefits for support purposes. The warrants were issued in Fort Bend County, located near Houston, where Peterson resides.
Peterson's current situation follows a series of financial difficulties that have plagued him since retiring from professional football. Just three months ago, he was ordered to pay approximately $12.5 million in debt stemming from a 2016 loan.
The original $5.2 million loan from a Pennsylvania lending company has grown substantially due to accumulated interest and attorney fees, resulting in an $8.3 million judgment against him in 2021.
The former running back's off-field problems extended beyond financial matters when he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault in October. This charge arose from an incident where he allegedly slapped a woman from behind earlier in the year. The court ordered him to pay a $500 fine without serving jail time.
These recent incidents add to Peterson's history of legal troubles, including a 2014 child abuse charge for hitting his four-year-old son with a switch. He avoided jail time in that case by pleading no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault.
During his illustrious 15-year NFL career, Peterson established himself as one of football's premier running backs. He spent ten seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he earned MVP honors and was selected to seven Pro Bowls. His career achievements include three rushing titles and an impressive total of 14,918 rushing yards, placing him fifth on the all-time rushing list.
After leaving the Vikings, Peterson's journey continued with brief stints at several NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins (now Commanders), Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks. Throughout his career, he accumulated over $100 million in earnings before retiring three years ago.
The combination of his impressive on-field achievements and recurring off-field issues has created a complex legacy for one of football's most talented players.
Former Minnesota Vikings superstar Adrian Peterson now faces significant legal hurdles as authorities seek his arrest in Texas over child support matters. These warrants represent the latest chapter in a series of personal and financial difficulties that have followed his retirement from professional football.
The situation involves multiple legal fronts, including child support obligations, substantial debt repayment, and recent assault charges. As the legal process unfolds in Fort Bend County, Peterson must address these mounting challenges while managing the impact on his post-NFL life and legacy.