There are many tragedies in life that many hope to never have to experience.
One of the saddest realities in life is that of a parent outliving their child.
There are also many things—evil, terrible things—that no one should ever have to bear in life.
The worst of which, perhaps for a parent, is harm inflicted on their child at the hands of a criminal—whether verbal, physical or sexual abuse or even abduction or death. The burden of knowing that your child suffered such trauma is immediate cause for pain, sorrow and anger and can leave scars that can take years to heal.
Sadly, such tragedy struck the family of Adrian Peterson, 2012 NFL MVP and star running back for the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson’s two-year-old son, who had been in critical condition since Wednesday, died Friday due to wounds inflicted by the man in whose care he had been entrusted—his mother’s boyfriend, Joseph Patterson.
Patterson is in custody and will face felony charges. Peterson and his family, meanwhile, are faced with the difficult task of grieving a loss is incomprehensible.
Several NBA athletes took to Twitter to pour out their heartfelt and sincere condolences.
My condolences goes out to Adrian Peterson and his fam sorry for your lost bro…… sad world man
— Keef Morris (@Keefmorris) October 11, 2013
Condolences to @AdrianPeterson & his family for the lose of his 2yr/old son.. #DamnShame #RIPLittleMan — Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) October 11, 2013
Prayers go out to Adrian Peterson and his family for the lost of his son! Just a sad day..
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) October 11, 2013
Sick world we live in! #PrayForAP — Jordan Hamilton (@J_Goin_HAM) October 11, 2013
Prayers to @AdrianPeterson
— Perry Jones III (@Perry_Jones1) October 11, 2013
So sad, my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to AP and his family…
— DeAndre Jordan (@deandrejordan) October 11, 2013