The NFL denied an attempt at immediate reinstatement by Adrian Peterson’s camp last Tuesday after Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault, according to an article published by Fox Sports.

This plea deal reduced charges from felony child abuse to a misdemeanor in the case of allegedly hitting his 4-year-old son with a tree branch. Peterson was fined and must serve 80 hours of community service.

Peterson had been facing a possible two years in prison, according to an article published by BBC. The alleged assault happened in Spring, Texas in May.

While on the exempt list, Peterson has received his full salary, and his paid leave status will remain while the NFL investigation is underway.

According to an article on espn.com, Peterson’s greivance hearing for reinstatement is set for next Monday.

Members of The Spectator Editorial Board agreed that Adrian Peterson should not have been immediately reinstated after reaching a plea deal.

One member said the fine Peterson received, $4,000, was ridiculous and simply pocket change to the Vikings running back.

“While I do understand the situation is complicated, and we, as the public, don’t understand the whole story, we need stronger consequences for domestic violence,” the member said.

Another member said the NFL is in dangerous territory because the NFL doesn’t have well-set laws for punishment.

“Until the NFL has set rules, it is just going to be a reactionary system that does not work,” the member said.

The same member also said the misdemeanor should be treated as such by the NFL.

Another member said in real life, you wouldn’t be barred from working if you were dealing with a child abuse case outside of work.

The suspension should go as long as the criminal punishment, another member said, as the incident had nothing to do with his performance on the field. The same member said they don’t think the NFL is in the position to ban a player for life, instead punishments should last as long as the player is in jail or is being investigated.

One member said while the NFL should reinstate Peterson, the Vikings should not allow him to play, as a way to protect the public relations of the team. The images were widely seen, the member said, and Peterson has gotten by because he is an athlete.

“I don’t think he has proven that he is sorry,” the same member said.