Rand: Fans vary on how to tackle Adrian Peterson news

Sports media stories that revolve around generating fan reaction to major events can be a dicey proposition. The sample size of voices collected vs. actual voices out there wouldn't pass any scientific polling standards, while often the fans most willing to talk aren't the ones with the most to say.

The interaction in a Vikings tailgate lot outside TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday morning was striking, then, in how it differed from the way "people on the street" interviews often play out.

The idea was to gather voices of fans in response to the news of Adrian Peterson's Friday indictment. The sample size was, as usual, imperfect, but it felt representative nonetheless.

After talking to three fans — two wearing Peterson's No. 28 jersey, both of whom said they were at least somewhat conflicted about wearing the garb to the game — a fourth fan approached, wondering if we were doing interviews about Peterson.

His name is Brent VanderGriend, he has three daughters — ages 3, 6 and 8 — and Peterson used to be his favorite player.

Not anymore. VanderGriend said he can no longer support Peterson even if he still bleeds purple. He said he bought a Cordarrelle Patterson jersey on Friday to replace his AP jersey and doesn't want his daughters wearing Peterson jerseys any more, either.

"I can't envision any scenario where that kind of treatment is anything that can be defended," he said. "I love the Vikings. Everybody makes mistakes. But when you're in that kind of position sometimes there are consequences. I just think it's time for the team to move on."

But there was a sense that from Ray Rice to Peterson to the long-term health impact of the game, there is far more to think about than when to turn the bratwursts or whom to start in your fantasy league.

Football is intricately woven into the fabric of so many of our lives, and for the vast majority of us it's not as simple as pulling one thread and letting it all unravel — no matter how sobering the off-field news is. At the same time, ignorance no longer feels like bliss.

In this line of work it's not possible to stop keeping track of the Vikings. The decision was made recently, though, to make a point this season of limiting my NFL intake to the bare minimum, which usually will mean watching the Vikings and as little else as is possible.

It's not a breakup, but it seems like a decent number of us could use a little space and time to reflect.