Nike, the official athletic wear supplier for the National Football League, is taking a stance against one of the league’s most popular players, Adrian Peterson.
The Nike store in Albertville Premium Outlets has pulled gear with the Minnesota Vikings’ running back from its shelves. It has followed suit at its Mall of America Store, according to reports filed by Twin Cities media outlets.
Peterson, who is the franchise’s most popular player and a former league Most Valuable Player, was indicted Friday on charges of child abuse after a grand jury accepted evidence that he beat a 4-year-old son. Peterson appeared on the charge over the weekend, and was suspended from the team for the Vikings’ first home game at TCF Stadium in Minneapolis Sunday.
The team, however, moved to reinstate Peterson to the roster Monday, making him available for next weekend’s game in New Orleans.
Nike has not returned comment about the move, nor has its PR firm.
The move happened the same day Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton went on record with a public statement, asking the Vikings to bench Peterson during the legal process, and calling the popular running back an “embarrassment to the state.” Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, has also said Peterson should be benched during this process Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Nike carries Adrian Peterson’s likeness and name on football cleats, shirts and jerseys.
