nfl suspended the 30-year-old football star in november over allegations that last may he disciplined his son , who was 4 at the time , too harshly with a `` switch , '' or thin stick `` in a letter , nfl commissioner roger goodell told peterson that his continued participation in the league was contingent on a number of requirements .
the nfl then suspended him without pay and he lost his appeal of that sanction the next month .