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ESPN’s Wilbon: American Behavior Today ‘Directly Traceable To The Lack Of Whippings With Switches’ [VIDEO]

Al Weaver Reporter
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According to ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, the demise of behavior in America is directly attributed to “the lack of whippings with switches.”

These comments come days after Minnesota Vikings running back and NFL star Adrian Peterson was indicted on child abuse charges after whipping his four-year-old son with a switch, leaving him bloodied.

“I think the decline in the behavior of America is directly traceable to the lack of whippings with switches,” Wilbon said. “Your grandparents or your parents would send you out to…pick your own switch. You go out, you snatch it off the tree, you cut it down, do whatever you do depending on where you are.”

“It’s such a common thing. It’s like baking a pie,” said the former Washington Post sports writer.

Peterson was deactivated for Sunday’s 30-7 home loss to New England.

The Oklahoma product released a statement today apologizing “for the hurt I have brought to my child,” saying that he is “without a doubt, not a child abuser.”

“I have learned a lot and have had to reevaluate how I discipline my son going forward,” Peterson said in the statement. “But deep in my heart I have always believed I could have been one of those kids that was lost in the streets without the discipline instilled in me by my parents and other relatives. I have always believed that the way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as a man. I love my son and I will continue to become a better parent and learn from any mistakes I ever make.”

“I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury,” Peterson stated. “No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that’s what I tried to do that day.”

The Vikings announced today that they intend to let Peterson play vs. New Orleans on Sunday.