‘DWTS’ fans disgusted by alleged abuser Adrian Peterson’s casting
“Dancing With the Stars” enthusiasts are expressing their desire for Adrian Peterson to leave the ballroom. The NFL running back, who has a history of arrests related to domestic violence and child abuse, has been paired with professional dancer Britt Stewart. However, fans are already voicing their concerns and objections on various platforms. Following the announcement of the Season 32 lineup on “Good Morning America,” fans took to Instagram to share their disappointment and apologies in the comments section. One follower expressed, “Britt, you deserved a better partner. I wish I could vote for you 😢!!” Another fan wrote, “@brittbenae, we love and support you, but how can we endorse a known child abuser and domestic violence offender? I won’t be voting for you this year.” A third fan claimed, “Britt, I admire you, but this man has a history of abusing his child and wife.” Some viewers even criticized the show’s producers and questioned Disney’s decision to allow Peterson to participate. In 2014, Peterson was arrested and charged with child abuse after using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. He was later released on bond. Peterson’s attorney defended his actions, stating that he was employing the same disciplinary methods he experienced in his own childhood. Despite the charges being dropped, court records revealed that the child had suffered injuries from the incident. Additionally, in 2018, Peterson admitted to spanking his son with a belt. The athlete pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault and faced a suspension from the NFL. In another incident on Super Bowl Sunday 2022, Peterson was arrested for domestic violence following an alleged altercation with his wife, Ashley, aboard an aircraft at LAX. Peterson was released on bond a few hours later. His wife publicly defended him and denied any physical harm from the incident. The charges were eventually dropped. At this time, ABC, the network behind “Dancing With the Stars,” has not addressed the backlash surrounding Peterson’s participation.
“Dancing With the Stars” fans want Adrian Peterson to boogie right on out of the ballroom.
The NFL running back has been partnered with pro Britt Stewart, but viewers are already protesting in light of his arrests for domestic violence and child abuse.
Following the Season 32 lineup announcement on “Good Morning America” Wednesday and a follow-up Instagram post by Stewart, fans became both apoplectic and apologetic in the comments section.
“You deserved better Britt wish I could vote for you 😢!!” commented one follower.
“We love you @brittbenae and we are so ready for you to get that mirrorball, but a known child abuser/DV?” wrote another. “No way can I vote for you this year and support him.”
“britt i love you but this man abused the crap out of his child and wife,” claimed a third fan.
One viewer placed the blame on the show’s crew, writing, “Shame on the producers!”
“Can’t believe Disney would allow him on the show tbh,” added another.
Reps for ABC didn’t immediately return TheFantasyTimes’s requests for comment.
Police booked the former Minnesota Vikings player at a Texas jail in 2014 on a child abuse charge. He was released on $15,000 bond.
Peterson, now 38, had been charged with causing injury to a child aged 14 or younger for spanking one of his sons with a wooden switch or tree branch.
The boy suffered cuts, marks and bruising to his thighs, back and one of his testicles, according to court records.
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“Adrian is a loving father who used his judgment as a parent to discipline his son,” his attorney said at the time. “He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in East Texas.”
Peterson’s attorney shared that the athlete had cooperated fully with the investigation and voluntarily testified before a grand jury for several hours.
“It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury,” Hardin said of the incident involving Peterson’s 4-year-old son.
The free agent pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault and was suspended for an entire NFL season following the incident.
In 2018, Peterson admitted he still spanked his son with a belt.
On Super Bowl Sunday 2022, authorities arrested him for domestic violence after an alleged incident with his wife, Ashley Peterson, aboard an aircraft at LAX.
Adrian was arrested when it was determined that Ashley had sustained a small mark from the incident. He was released hours later on a $50,000 bond.
“Adrian and his wife, Ashley, had a verbal argument on a flight, and he was removed from the plane,” a representative for the family told TMZ at the time.
“This is a private misunderstanding between husband and wife, and we anticipate it will all be resolved shortly.”
His wife publicly defended him shortly thereafter, telling the media that “at no point did Adrian hit or strike me.”
