Adrian Peterson's Camp Opposes Counseling Program Requirements? NFLPA Allegedly Says It's Violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement

Adrian Peterson recently met with NFL officials on April 7 to talk about his issues and future in the league after being charged with child abuse.

In November 2014, Peterson was suspended for the charges against him, after he disciplined his four-year-old son with a switch, which was deemed cruel and abusive. The meeting concluded with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell additionally recommending that the running back undergo treatment and counseling to correct his manner of treating his children, based on a report by Fox Sports.

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and Peterson, however, strongly opposed the idea of him participating in the counseling program, after he already underwent counseling as part of his no-contest plea deal before. 

In 2014, Goodell wrote to Peterson that a counseling plan would be prepared during his meeting with Dr. April Kuchuck, an instructor in the NYU Department of Psychiatry and forensic consultant, before December 1. An insider said that Peterson and his representatives have been communicating with NFL experts but no formal treatment program has been arranged or executed yet.

Based on the same report by Fox Sports, Goodell had stated that Peterson's reinstatement will depend on the outcome of the said counseling and treatment program. In the letter, he said that Peterson may be reinstated the earliest on April 15.

Goodell wrote in the letter, based on a report by The Score, "We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement. You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children and have no further violations of law or league policy."

Another source said that the NFLPA is ready to argue the counseling requirements. The group previously filed a grievance regarding the recent changes to the NFL's personal conduct policy. According to the NFLPA, the counseling requirements are in violation of their collective bargaining agreement. The grievance is yet to be discussed in a hearing.

NBC Sports reported that in January, the NFLPA filed a brief stating that that the NFL has no power to impose the condition of NFL-sanctioned counseling on Peterson.

The brief stated that the collectively-bargained NFL Player Contract expressed clearly the limits of the Commissioner's disciplinary authority to fine or suspend players or have their contracts terminated. Furthermore, the commissioner's imposed counseling requirement on Peterson is not a fine, suspension or contract termination, which violates their CBA.