NFLPA president Eric Winston on crime: 'We need to let the due process run its course'

NFL Players Association president Eric Winston said Tuesday that while the union isn't opposed to disciplining players who commit crimes, it is important to allow a legal case to run its course before passing judgment.

"I don't want to get into a world where we're snapping to judgment, and that's where we're all the sudden saying, 'Oh well, since he was arrested before, he's automatically guilty of it.' I don't think that's the right world to live in," Winston said during an appearance on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" program, per ESPN.com.

"Now, who knows? There might be some crazy, outlying standard. But at the same time, I think for 99 percent of things that go on, we need to let the due process run its course."

Winston's comments follow what many are calling the worst week in NFL history, which was capped off by the indictment of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. 

Peterson was deactivated for the Vikings' Week 2 matchup, but is expected to rejoin the team ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, who is involved in an ongoing domestic violence case, was also deactivated in Week 2.

"The players aren't against discipline," Winston said. "And the union is not against discipline. All we're for is a fair process. If a player feels like his rights have been violated under the CBA, then he's got a fair appeal process.

"I don't want anybody to think that we're trying to cover guys and make sure that they don't get disciplined in any way. We are not against discipline. We are not against it - that if you mess up, you shouldn't have to pay the price."