Photo: Mike Morbeck · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationality American — NFL / discipline / legal proceedings / personal finances

Adrian Peterson

Documented profile covering 10 controversies, including “April 2025–March 2026: Minnesota DWI, guilty plea and probation” and “October 2025: further arrest for DWI in Texas and unlawful carrying of a firearm”.

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Profile No. 2003 · Updated on 12 October 2026

10Documented controversies

10Sources

2 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

April 2025–March 2026

April 2025–March 2026: Minnesota DWI, guilty plea and probation

Conviction

Stopped at 83 mph in a 55 mph zone with a preliminary alcohol test result of 0.14%, Peterson subsequently pleaded guilty to DWI and received probation and community service.

State of the evidence: Established by a court
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Minnesota Star TribuneEx-Viking Adrian Peterson sentenced for DUI while speeding in Twin CitiesPressHigh reliability
[2]
CBS MinnesotaFormer Vikings star Adrian Peterson pleads guilty to DWIPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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October 2025

October 2025: further arrest for DWI in Texas and unlawful carrying of a firearm

Investigation

Peterson was found asleep at the wheel; police observed signs of intoxication and discovered a firearm in the glove compartment.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
ReutersAdrian Peterson asleep at wheel before DWI arrest, per policeNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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February–March 2024

2024: seizure of property and attempted auction during debt recovery

Civil / administrative proceedings

A receiver seized property, including trophies and NFL memorabilia, before a judge temporarily stopped the disputed auction.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
USA Today via Yahoo SportsJudge halted Adrian Peterson auction amid debt collectionPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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February–May 2022

February 2022: arrest at LAX on suspicion of domestic violence, without final charges

No legal proceedings

Peterson was arrested following an altercation with his wife aboard an aircraft; he subsequently agreed to twenty counselling sessions to avoid a possible misdemeanour prosecution.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Washington PostAdrian Peterson agrees to complete counseling after February arrestPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2018–January 2021

2018–2021: litigation over another $5.2 million loan, judgment of approximately $8.3 million

Civil / administrative proceedings

Another lender obtained a judgment of approximately $8.3 million against Peterson.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
ESPNDetroit Lions RB Adrian Peterson ordered to pay $8.3M to loan companyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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June–July 2019

2019: ordered to pay almost $2.4 million on defaulted loan

Civil / administrative proceedings

A court ordered Peterson to repay almost $2.4 million to Democracy Capital after defaulting on a loan.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
ESPNReport: Peterson ordered to pay back $2.4MPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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November 2018

2018: controversy after stating he still sometimes used a belt

No legal proceedings

Peterson stated that he still sometimes used a belt to discipline his children.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Washington PostAdrian Peterson says he still uses a belt and switch to punish his sonPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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November 2014–August 2016

2014–2016: NFL suspension and arbitration/federal legal battle

Civil / administrative proceedings

The NFL suspended him for the remainder of 2014 and imposed a fine; his appeal triggered several years of arbitration and federal litigation.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
NFLAdrian Peterson appeal denied; suspension upheldPressVery high reliability
[2]
U.S. Court of Appeals / JustiaNFL Players Ass'n v. National Football LeagueCourt decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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Case · 2 documented stages

November 2014: no-contest plea to reckless assault

Conviction

May–September 2014

2014: charged with injury to child following use of a switch

Formally charged

Peterson was charged after striking his four-year-old son with a switch, causing cuts and bruises.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
U.S. Court of Appeals / JustiaNFL Players Ass'n v. National Football LeagueCourt decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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November 2014

November 2014: no-contest plea to reckless assault

Conviction

The original charge was reduced and Peterson pleaded no contest to reckless assault, receiving probation, a fine and community service.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
U.S. Court of Appeals / JustiaNFL Players Ass'n v. National Football LeagueCourt decisionVery high reliability
[2]
The Washington PostAdrian Peterson says he still uses a belt and switch to punish his sonPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

Add to this entry

II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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