[Benjamin]

The two-year-old son of an American football star has died after allegedly being beaten by the son's mother's boyfriend, police and media have said.

Joseph Patterson, 27, has been charged with the child's beating, and may face additional charges over the death.

The boy's father Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings is one of the top running backs in professional football.

The boy, whose name has been withheld, had been in hospital in South Dakota since the attack on Wednesday.

"All I can say is, we are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as we deal with this tragic situation," Mr Peterson's father Nelson Peterson told the St Paul Pioneer-Press.

'Consistent with abuse'
In the Vikings locker room on Friday, Adrian Peterson asked for privacy, said he would "stay prayed up", and told reporters he planned to play in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.

"Football is something I will always fall back on," he said.

"It gets me through tough times. Just being around the guys in here, that's what I need in my life, guys supporting me, and just being able to go out and play this game I love."

According to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, police, the boy was taken to hospital on Wednesday, where authorities discovered he had been injured in a manner "consistent with abuse".

Mr Patterson had been caring for the boy and was the only other person in the home when police and emergency medical workers arrived.

Mr Peterson, 28, is currently ranked third in the National Football League in rushing yards.

Born in Texas, he was drafted out of the University of Oklahoma by the Vikings in 2007.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24502320

[King Gizzard]

[Drew.]

"and told reporters he planned to play in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers."

will be an emotional game

[Ninastar]

it's actually heartbreaking. i cant stop thinking about it, especially when i work with kids this age... they have their own little personalities, they're learning to talk...

****ing bastard. i wish the worst for him. (the guy who killed him, obviously)

[King Gizzard]

There's probably nothing better to do than play a game after something like this. Get it all out on the pitch

RIP

[Drew.]

i think something similar happened last year or the year before.. one of the players had a brother die the day before a game and went ahead and played, was really emotional.

[MTVN]

It's an awful story, Sunday will be emotional

Originally Posted by Nathan

Think that's actually a different son, don't think it was generally known till today that this kid was his

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Drew.

i think something similar happened last year or the year before.. one of the players had a brother die the day before a game and went ahead and played, was really emotional.

Yeah Torrey Smith, had one of his biggest games that day as well

[Brother Leon]

Nothing short of a monster. Hope he suffers every night in Jail.

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Yeah Torrey Smith, had one of his biggest games that day as well

Hes from the ravens, isnt he? god i had no idea about that

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

Hes from the ravens, isnt he? god i had no idea about that

Yeah, think he actually only found out about the death early hours the Sunday morning of the game as well

Youtube video

[Ninastar]

ugh that's just heartbreaking. poor guy. his brother was my age as well... crazy

[BBfanUSA]

The pic of AP and his son wearing a Vikings helmet is one of the warmest things I have ever seen. Seeing it all over social networking now. Such a shame this tragedy has brought it to life.

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Be careful who you bring into your homes and introduce to your children.

RIP.

[Black Dagger]

Anybody who beats a child is scum of the highest decorum.

I can't imagine what he's going through right now. RIP little guy!

[Ammi]

..if he didn't carry on and play football then his mind would have to fully comprehend his emotions which may be something he can't do atm..the sadness of the loss of his son..or rage with that man... maybe he has to keep going because it's too overwhelming for him...I just can't imagine how he must feel but by carrying on with what he knows and understands must help him to face those emotions and maybe he can only let them in a little at a time because of the power of them and what's happened...I just hope that the American justice system works in a more just way than the UK one often does ....

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Black Dagger

Anybody who beats a child is scum of the highest decorum.

I can't imagine what he's going through right now. RIP little guy!

100% agree BD.