After the tragic death on Friday of the two-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson, many wondered whether the star running back would play in Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
Peterson did end up playing, arriving at two hours before the game, reports ESPN. Beforehand, he texted Fox Sports reporter Laura Okmin about his reasoning.
“My brother passed the night before the combine and I decided to go through with it,” he wrote. “The same reason why I will play this week. You may ask why? God wants good to come from it. … We mourn and grieve but heaven had the baddest welcoming party for my son. That knowledge gives me peace. I’m still hurt and feel the pain of life, but I’m able to function because of the peace and joy of knowing my loved ones are in a much better place.”
Peterson’s son was likely the victim of abuse from his mother’s boyfriend. (SEE RELATED: HORROR: Adrian Peterson’s 2-year-old son dies after being beaten.) The boy was in critical condition from Wednesday until Friday evening when he passed away. The boyfriend is being held on a $750,000 bond.