The crux of the issue was the application of the enhanced personal conduct policy, increasing a suspension for players involved with domestic violence from two games to six games. Because that was implemented after the injuries occurred to Peterson's son, delivered by a wooden switch that Peterson was using for discipline, the union contended that the prior standard of punishment should apply.
"Our collective bargaining agreement has rules for implementation of the personal conduct policy and when those rules are violated, our union always stands up to protect our players' rights," Smith said. "This is yet another example why neutral arbitration is good for our players, good for the owners and good for our game."
Doty's courtroom has long been a ground zero of sorts for NFL labor matters, and his ruling pattern has favored the union more often than not.
The increased penalty for domestic violence arose from the furor over the league's handling of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who was seen on surveillance video knocking out the woman who's now his wife with a punch in an elevator.
Rice was initially suspended for two games before Goodell declared the ban indefinite. The arbitrator who heard Rice's appeal, former U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones, ruled that Goodell's decision was "arbitrary" and an "abuse of discretion."
Despite the NFL's argument that the ruling by Jones was irrelevant to Henderson's, Doty disagreed.
"The court finds no valid basis to distinguish this case from the Rice matter," Doty said.
