Adrian Peterson's appeal hearing concluded Thursday in New York after about two hours, with the primary focus on testimony from NFL executive Troy Vincent, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press.
Peterson is seeking reinstatement after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the final six games of the regular season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Goodell also told Peterson he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15.
"We want a fair process for Adrian and neutral arbitration for all players," said George Atallah, the assistant executive of external affairs for the NFL Players Association. "That is something we should all agree on."
The NFL declined comment.
The players' union and the NFL have been hassling over revising the personal conduct policy since Ray Rice's case inspired Goodell to change the guidelines to a six-game suspension for the first assault, battery or domestic violence offense.
Rice's appeal, however, went to a neutral arbiter who ruled in his favor and reinstated the free agent running back last week. Peterson's appeal was heard by longtime hearing office Harold Henderson. The NFLPA had asked Henderson to recuse himself because he's a former league executive.
Peterson gave a statement without testifying Tuesday and didn't attend Thursday, according to another source familiar with the case. Another person said Henderson asked Vincent to testify after the NFLPA submitted an audio tape and a transcript of a conversation between Vincent and Peterson as evidence.
The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither side is discussing the case publicly.
