Adrian Peterson's appeal of his NFL suspension in the wake of a child abuse charge has been denied.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello issued a brief statement posted on NFL.com saying an appeals officer appointed by the league to hear the case had affirmed the season-long suspension handed out to Peterson after he pleaded no-contest to a reduced charge to avoid jail time in the severe spanking of his four-year-old son.
Peterson, 29, was suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on November 18, who said the Minnesota running back would not be eligible for reinstatement until April 15.
The league said Peterson's plea -- for smacking his son with a tree branch so hard that it created cuts, welts and bruises -- put him in violation of its personal conduct policy.
Peterson, the 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player, has played in just one game this year, the Vikings' season-opener.
The NFL Players' Association immediately responded, hinting it would take Peterson's case to court.
"The NFLPA expected this outcome, given the hearing officer's relationship and financial ties to the NFL," the union said in a statement.
"The decision itself ignores the facts, the evidence and the collective bargaining agreement. This decision also represents the NFL's repeated failure to adhere to due process and confirms its inconsistent treatment of players. Our union is considering immediate legal remedies."
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