Adrian Peterson's Lawyer Says He Was Victim, Not Aggressor, In Arrest

Lawyer: Adrian Peterson Was Victim, Not Aggressor

As details of Adrian Peterson's arrest emerges, it appears as if Peterson might have been a victim. At least, that's the picture his lawyer is trying to paint.

"He, in fact, was struck at least twice in the face for absolutely no legitimate reason, and when all the evidence is impartially reviewed, it will clearly show Adrian was the victim, not the aggressor," Peterson's attorney Rusty Hardin said in a statement.

Peterson has never been in trouble with the law before and is upset by his image being tarnished by the incident, his attorney wrote in the statement.

"These charges are totally at odds with the way he has conducted himself throughout his career, and he asks that his fans and the public at large reserve judgment until they hear all the facts," Hardin said.

Hardin indicated that Peterson will not seek civil charges against the Houston Police Department, yet.

Continue to check back with SB Nation for more on this story as it develops. For all news about Peterson and the Vikings, checkout The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson Arrest: Rusty Hardin Ready For Trial If Case Not Dropped

While surveillance tape of the Adrian Peterson arrest incident in Houston over the weekend has yet to come out, Peterson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, is already working hard to get out in front of the case. On Tuesday, Hardin was on television and radio to explain what happened, according to ProFootballTalk. Hardin is ready to go to trial if the case is not dismissed:

If they won’t drop the charges, Hardin says there will be a trial.

"[Peterson] is angry, [and] he does intend to fight it," Hardin said.

Hardin also mentioned that Peterson required medical attention for the incident, particularly to his face as well as his shoulders. Hardin maintains that Peterson did nothing to provoke the incident and that the police "jumped" his client.

So far, the only video we have seen of the altercation doesn't show us much, as Peterson is handcuffed and led out of the bar.

Continue to check back with SB Nation for more on this story as it develops. For all news about Peterson and the Vikings, checkout The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson's Father Claims Off-Duty Cop Was 'Disrespectful'

The details of Adrian Peterson's arrest at a Houston nightclub over the weekend are still sketchy. In an interview with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Peterson's father, Nelson, claims that the off-duty officer involved in the incident with the Minnesota Vikings running back was "disrespectful" and using "vulgar language" when he requested that Peterson leave the club.

The Houston Police Department claims that Peterson was yelling and pushing an off-duty officer, which then resulted in Peterson being handcuffed and arrested. Nelson Peterson, who did not witness his son's arrest, questioned the police account of the incident.

"The officer said he pushed him, shoved him, then why is he not charged with assault?" Nelson said. "Only charged with resisting arrest. Doesn't make sense."

Security cameras at the club captured the events on tape, which might be the only means of sorting out the sordid affair.

Continue to check back with SB Nation for more on this story as it develops. For all news about Peterson and the Vikings, checkout The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

VIDEO: What Arrest Was Adrian Peterson Resisting?

The latest Bomani & Jones is in from SB Nation Studios and the Adrian Peterson arrest is the topic this week. Peterson was arrested over the weekend at a Houston bar for resisting arrest.

Bomani Jones brings up a great question regarding the arrest: what arrest was Peterson resisting?

He was only charged with resisting arrest but to resist an arrest there has to be a reason you're being arrested in the first place. We're not saying Peterson is innocent -- there's too much information we don't know -- but the lack of any other charges is curious.

Bomani also covers the officers who tried to take Peterson down, reminding them that the proper form when tackling Peterson is to go low. The officers didn't heed this advice and apparently it took three of them to take Peterson down.

Check out the latest Bomani & Jones below for more on Peterson's arrest.

Adrian Peterson Hires Roger Clemens' Lawyer After Arrest

The Adrian Peterson arrest seems to get more interesting as it goes along, and Peterson is looking like he plans to fight the charge and take it seriously. So seriously, in fact, that Peterson has hired a high-profile attorney to take his case.

Filed to ESPN: Adrian Peterson has hired high-profile attorney Rusty Hardin to represent him after weekend arrest. Hardin was Clemens attny.

— Kevin Seifert (@espn_nfcnblog) July 9, 2012

It sounds like the charge is close to being almost dropped already, however, as the Houston Police Department is already backing down. A spokesman recently noted that Peterson will likely just get a fine.

Houston Police spokesman tells NFL.com that Peterson likely to get a fine. Expects case to be adjudicated quickly.

— NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) July 9, 2012

There is security video from the club of the incident, which from reported accounts sounds suspect, but they have yet to surface.

Continue to check back with SB Nation for more on this story as it develops. For all news about Peterson and the Vikings, checkout The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson Is Smiling In His Mugshot

Adrian Peterson Arrest Video Emerges

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was arrested for resisting arrest early Saturday morning in a case that sounded bizarre from the get-go. Some reports emerged that the incident was captured on camera by security cameras in the club and on-lookers with their cell phones.

The first video of the arrest has emerged, via TMZ.com, but it doesn't necessarily show much in regards to leading up to how Peterson was arrested.

Footage from the club cameras will undoubtedly show quite a bit more than this video, taken by a self-proclaimed "friend" of Peterson. In the video, Peterson appears to already be handcuffed by police and is being escorted out of the bar.

Obviously, more video will need to emerge to see the totality of what actually happened in the incident.

Continue to check back with SB Nation for more on this story as it develops. For all news about Peterson and the Vikings, checkout The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson Arrest: Vikings Running Back To Appear In Court Friday

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is scheduled to appear in Harris, Texas County Criminal Court on Friday, July 13 as a result of an arrest in a downtown Houston club.

Last Friday night, Peterson was arrested for resisting arrest at the Houston club Live!. That doesn't really make sense, but when you read further into it that Peterson allegedly ignored multiple requests from an off-duty police officer working as a security guard to leave the club because it was closing, it makes a bit more sense.

Peterson also allegedly pushed the officer in the shoulder, according to the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

TMZ.com has reported that the nightclub's general manager, Daniel Maher, said Peterson "was a difficult customer all night" as a result of drinking.

Following the arrest, Peterson was booked and formally charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. He remained in custody through Satuday morning until posting $1,000 bond.

Continue to check back with SB Nation for more on this story as it develops. For all news about Peterson and the Vikings, checkout The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson Arrest: Report Details Events In Running Back's Brush With Police

After news broke Saturday afternoon that Minnesota Vikings star running back was charged with resisting arrest late Friday night and thrown in jail in Houston — he posted $1,000 bond and was released at 10 a.m., according to CBSSports' Will Brinson — Pro Football Talk found an unnamed source who gave an account of what exactly led to a resisting arrest charge that failed to explain what Peterson was originally being arrested for.

Apparently, Peterson, his girlfriend and some family members were in a nightclub in Houston until closing time, when several police officers entered and instructed the patrons to leave. Peterson wanted to go back in and grab some water, according to PFT's source, and things went downhill from there. Give the full story a read, but here's the juicy stuff:

Some words apparently were exchanged, but Peterson eventually walked to the exit with one of the club's bouncers.

It's believed that one of the officers then jumped on Peterson's back from behind and tried to take him down. (Key word: "tried.") Other officers then joined the fray and completed the arrest.

Expect more to come from this story — including the possibility of some video, which might be among Peterson's most impressive highlights — but here's a hot sports take from SB Nation's own Brian Floyd:

AP already leads the league in broken tackles for the upcoming season at least.

— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) July 7, 2012

Continue to check back with SB Nation for more on this story as it develops. For all news about Peterson and the Vikings, checkout The Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson Arrested In Houston

Adrian Peterson was arrested in Houston Friday night for resisting arrest.