Adrian Peterson's suspension appeal denied

NEW YORK, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The NFL on Friday declined Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's appeal of his suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Peterson was suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season in mid-November after agreeing to a plea deal on child abuse charges.

The All-Pro running back was indicted in September for disciplining his 4-year-old son with a switch, leaving him with marks on his body.

NFL executive Harold Henderson heard Peterson's appeal of his suspension last week, and issued a report Friday denying the request.

"His public comments do not reflect remorse or appreciation for the seriousness of his actions and their impact on his family, community, fans and the NFL, although at the close of the hearing he said he has learned from his mistake, he regrets that it happened and it will never happen again. I reject the argument that placement in Commissioner Exempt status is discipline. I conclude that the player has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent; he was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled, and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline," Henderson wrote.

Peterson told ESPN he thought Henderson's decision was "absolutely wrong" and compared his case to that of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

Rice won his appeal of an indefinite suspension after video surfaced showing him assaulting his then-fiancee Janay Palmer.

"I think I've been made an example out of. It kind of baffles me how -- I have nothing but love for Ray Rice, I'm happy he has the chance to play. But it's like, how did Ray Rice get reinstated before me, a team has a chance to pick him up, but I don't have the opportunity to come back until April. When has that happened in any other case in the NFL, ever?" he asked.

Read Henderson's report below: