Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson pauses during introductions before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. One of the star running back's sons, a 2-year-old in South Dakota, died Friday after an alleged attack in a child abuse case. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson pauses during introductions before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. One of the star running back's sons, a 2-year-old in South Dakota, died Friday after an alleged attack in a child abuse case. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2013 file photo, Joseph Patterson, who is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery on an infant, leaves the Lincoln County Courthouse after a hearing in Canton, S.D. Prosecutors expect to ask a grand jury to consider more serious charges against Patterson in the death of the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Lincoln County State's Attorney Tom Wollman says he will review the completed autopsy report along with other reports before seeking any new charges against Patterson. Sioux Falls police identified the boy as Tyrese Robert Doohen, who died Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 after being hospitalized with severe head injuries. (AP Photo/Argus Leader, Joe Ahlquist) NO SALES
Minnesota Vikings fans hold a sign supporting Vikings running back Adrian Peterson during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. One of the star running back's sons, a 2-year-old in South Dakota, died Friday after an alleged attack in a child abuse case. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Vikings 35-10. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Family, friends and well-wishers gather in Sertoma Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., for a candlelight vigil in memory of Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. Authorities said a 2-year-old boy died Friday of injuries suffered in an alleged child abuse case and a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the boy was Peterson's son. (AP Photo/Argus Leader, Jay Pickthorn) NO SALES
Joseph Patterson, center, who is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery on an infant, leaves the Lincoln County Courthouse after a hearing in Canton, S.D., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. Prosecutors and police in South Dakota declined to confirm that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is the father of a 2-year-old boy who was hospitalized with severe head injuries in Sioux Falls on Wednesday. Police described the child's condition as consistent with abuse. Patterson is accused in the case of the 2-year-old. (AP Photo/Argus Leader, Joe Ahlquist) NO SALES
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Two months ago, around the time the Minnesota Vikings were losing their second preseason game, Adrian Peterson was given some surprising news.
The star running back says he found out then he had a 2-year-old son living in Sioux Falls, S.D., named Tyrese Robert Ruffin. He had been working with Tyrese's mother to arrange a meeting with the boy when he received a call last week that the child was in the hospital with severe injuries.
Peterson raced to South Dakota last Thursday, where he saw little Tyrese for the first time. The boy died a day later in an alleged case of child abuse, and Peterson has been trying to come to grips with it ever since.
Peterson attended Tyrese's funeral Wednesday and returned to Minnesota for practice on Thursday. His voice wavered when he discussed Tyrese publicly for the first time, trying to grapple with mourning the death of a son he never got to know.
"I was planning on seeing him. I had a talk with his mom and we got some things together as far as financially helping her," Peterson said. "Unfortunately, this situation took place. It's devastating."
A man the boy's mother was dating, 27-year-old Joseph Patterson, is being held on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Tyrese died after Patterson was arrested, and prosecutors plan to convene a grand jury to consider more serious charges.
"It was a difficult day, just taking in the circumstance and the whole situation," Peterson said of the funeral. "A child was buried. That's difficult for anyone."
Peterson played against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, rushing for 62 yards on 10 carries in a 35-10 loss, and he plans to play against the New York Giants on Monday night. It's been a theme for Peterson for nearly his entire life — football has been a refuge in difficult times ever since he was a youth.
"A lot of people won't ever understand the situation that I'm in and see it the way I'm seeing the situation," he said. "It's tough, but I'm able to deal with that and got a good supporting cast around me that's been supporting me through this tough time."
Peterson thanked his teammates and the Vikings organization for their support.
"They've been great, organization, teammates, they've been supporting me as well," he said. "I can't tell you how many calls I've gotten and texts from the guys up top in the organization and players just making sure that I'm OK and I'm doing well."
He has always prided himself on finding the positivity even in the darkest of times — and now he finds himself searching again.
"I'm standing strong, man. I am," Peterson said. "My main focus has been on my son and their family down there in Sioux Falls. Just trying to wrap my head around things and trying to stay focused and play ball as well. So things have been tough, but I can handle a lot. I'm built for anything that comes my way. This right here will pass."
Peterson said he has been in touch with authorities in South Dakota to stay on top of the proceedings and didn't expect to miss any more time this season to deal with the situation.
"I have the contacts that I need to be able to stay involved as far as the investigation," he said.
NOTES: Peterson only practiced on a limited basis on Thursday because of a sore hamstring. ... K Blair Walsh (left hamstring), S Harrison Smith (turf toe on left foot) and CB A.J. Jefferson (right ankle) did not practice.
Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-10-17-FBN-Vikings-Peterson/id-04624adaba2647d8a08c4b0c91fd0100Related Topics: glee scarlett johansson reggie bush Amish Mafia Erbie Bowser
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