We had a chance to chat Tuesday evening with Jared Allen for a story very much NOT about football — his bull, Magic Train, is competing in a Professional Bull Riders event Saturday at Target Center. Afterwards, though, we also had a chance to chat about Adrian Peterson.
Allen, who is in his first season with the Bears, was teammates with Peterson from 2008-13 and offered these perspectives on the unfolding saga involving the Vikings running back:
*"It's a sad deal all the way around. Obviously, the Adrian I know is a good-hearted man and I judge people on what I know. People make mistakes. I pray that everyone learns from this situation and it's handled with dignity and integrity, and that he can become a better man out of it."
*"I have my beliefs, but I also know the Bible says those without sin cast the first stone. We've all made mistakes in our lives, and the key thing is to learn from it, to move forward in a positive way. And also to be sensitive to who is hurting. There are a lot of people hurting in all this. It's upsetting, but I just pray for an outcome that's better for all those involved."
*"I was very much surprised. I don't know all the details, but I saw the pictures. It's upsetting. But like I said I judge people on how they treat me, and Adrian was always a kind-hearted human being to myself, my wife and my daughter. He's been to my house many times. It was a shock to everybody. There will be consequences. There are always consequences for every action."
Allen made those comments around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, a handful of hours before the Vikings reversed course (again) and announced Peterson was being placed on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list and kept away from the Vikings as his legal situation plays out.
