Story highlights
NEW: Adrian Peterson says he loves his son and regrets the incident
NEW: DA says the NFL star received no special treatment
Peterson is on probation for 2 years, will make public service announcement
He is still on the Vikings roster, but has been deactivated
NFL star Adrian Peterson pleaded no contest Tuesday in a Texas court to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault, avoiding jail time for whipping one of his children.
Peterson appeared in a Montgomery County court in Conroe after prosecutors and his attorneys reached a plea deal. Judge Kelly Case agreed to the terms of the deal, in which Peterson pleaded to a lesser charge.
The Minnesota Vikings star was sentenced to two years of probation, a $4,000 fine and 80 hours of community service, half of which will be taken care of by a public service announcement.
He also will take parenting classes.
Peterson gave a brief statement outside the courthouse.
“I truly regret this incident,” he said. “I stand here and I take full responsibility for my actions. I love my son more than any one of you can even imagine.”
He didn’t address a question about when he will return to the NFL.
“We will review the matter, including the court record, and then make a determination on his status. We cannot provide a timetable,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
Peterson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, called the plea deal “fair and just.”
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Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said Peterson wasn’t treated any differently because he is one of the NFL’s marquee players.
Peterson – who in 2011 signed a seven-year contract worth more than $100 million and is considered one of the NFL’s best running backs, if not the best – left the Vikings in September after the team deactivated, then activated and then deactivated him again.
He was accused in Texas of whipping his 4-year-old son with a “switch,” or slender tree branch, and had originally been charged with felony child abuse. He faced up to two years in prison and a fine.
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Ligon said the punishment was about behavior modification.
“I believe that Mr. Peterson is accepting responsibility (for hurting his child),” Ligon said. “I’m looking forward to him … taking a role as a responsible parent.”
CNN’s Kevin Dotson contributed to this report.