By . Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 20:11 EST, 13 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:32 EST, 14 October 2013 . Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson spoke out about the death of his secret love child today as he took to the field amid a tremendous wave of support from fans and players on both sides of the NFL clash. The running back vowed to play just two days after his unidentified 2-year-old son died, allegedly at the hands of his mother's abusive live-in boyfriend. The football star, who first met his son at his hospital bed having only been informed of his paternity earlier this year, said he felt it was important he still perform on the field. Professional: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said he never doubted that he would be playing in the game on Sunday . [caption . 'I’m still hurt and feel the pain of . life, but I’m able to function because of the peace and joy of knowing . my loved ones are in a much better place,' he said . 'I was set on it. I just look at things and I don't ask people to understand my mindset and how I think. Anything bad, I try to take good from it. That's the way I approach life in all situations. I never thought about not playing. It was all about just going out there and praying that I have the strength to get through and help my team. That was my focus.' Fans held signs that read 'Stay Strong 28' and 'Prayers for Adrian,' and several teammates offered hugs and well wishes before the game. 'I just prayed and asked God to give me the strength just to get through the game, just play and focus,' Peterson said. 'And for the most part, I did.' He took the field for Sunday’s match up against the Carolina Panthers to a roar from fans who had showed up early just to greet him. Peterson declined to discuss the relationship he had with the boy, who lived with his mother in Sioux Falls. The mother's boyfriend, Joseph Patterson, is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery. In their thoughts: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, left, hugs Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton . The show must go on: Adrian Peterson says 'God wants good to come' from tragedy . Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he thought his star running back handled himself well during the trying circumstances. 'It's a difficult, difficult situation and there are a lot of people trying to support him within in the organization, his teammates as well,' Frazier said. Panthers safety Mike Mitchell, who had two interceptions and a sack, sought out Peterson during the game to offer some words of encouragement. Mitchell said he mentioned to the deeply religious Peterson the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 about God providing hope for the future. 'I told him that to keep that in his heart as he continues to take this challenge going forward,' Mitchell said. Peterson said he is leaning on his teammates and family to help him through, and he will continue to look to the football field as a shelter, as he has throughout his life during the toughest of times. 'In life situations, and in football, you've got to continue to believe,' Peterson said. 'We've got to get everyone with that same mindset, to believe no matter what the circumstances.' Peterson also pointed out that he played following the death of a brother several years ago. In jail: Joseph Patterson, center, who is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery on an infant, leaves the Lincoln County Courthouse after a hearing on Friday . Notorious: Joseph Patterson, accused of beating NFL star Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son to death, has history of violence against women and children with several counts of assault . Charged: Joseph Robert Patterson, 27,  is charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault. It emerged in court that he had previously been charged over domestic violence . Peterson has had tragedy peppered throughout his life. When he was seven, he saw his older brother die in a bike accident after being hit by a drunken driver. For . Peterson's teenage years, his father was in prison. He grew up poor in . east Texas. Shortly before the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in 2007, a . half-brother, was shot and killed. Long . before Peterson began running through the NFL record book, he learned . to turn tragedy into fuel for an exceptional career. Thoughts and prayers: Minnesota Vikings fans have been expressing their support for Adrian Peterson and his family after the death of his two-year-old son. Here he is joined by Kyle Rudolph for the National Anthem before Sunday's NFL game . Working through the pain: Oftentimes athletes use work as a cathartic way to move through tragedy and will often dedicate their performance to those that they lost . 'Things . that I go through, I've said a thousand times, it helps me play this . game to a different level,'he said after practice, about an hour after . the child's death. 'I'm able to kind of release a lot of my stress . through this sport, so that's what I plan on doing.' Twitter has been filled with public . condolences for Peterson and his loved ones. From LeBron James to Barry . Sanders to Josh Groban, his peers, opponents and admirers expressed . their sadness and support. 'Praying . for you and your family. May God give you the strength,' tweeted New . York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, whose team plays the Vikings on . October 21. Tender: Adrian Peterson's two-year-old son Adrian Jr (pictured). It is another little boy, who the football player had out of wedlock, who was beaten to death . 'He's . a wonderful human being,' said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who coached . Peterson in college. 'He's a very faithful, strong, Christian guy that . we all dearly, we all love him. We're all there for him. Incredibly . tragic event. He's a great a kid, a great man, a great kid when I had . him.' Peterson had three children, including the unidentified two-year-old. Adrian . Peterson Jr, 3, showed up at training camp this year and posed for . pictures after one practice with his dad. Peterson also has a daughter; . he tweeted last month about how she teased him about Minnesota's loss . that afternoon to Cleveland, they both live with their father. 'So . my daughter is laying here under me and just out the blue she says ... I . can't believe you lost to the Browns Daddy!' Peterson posted on . September 22.
Adrian Peterson took the field with his Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, just two days after the tragic death of his two-year-old son.
The game was supposed to provide 'therapy' for the player .
He has faced tragedy before with his brother and half-brother both dead .
For Peterson's teenage years, his father was in prison .
By . Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 20:11 EST, 13 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:32 EST, 14 October 2013 . Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson spoke out about the death of his secret love child today as he took to the field amid a tremendous wave of support from fans and players on both sides of the NFL clash. The running back vowed to play just two days after his unidentified 2-year-old son died, allegedly at the hands of his mother's abusive live-in boyfriend. The football star, who first met his son at his hospital bed having only been informed of his paternity earlier this year, said he felt it was important he still perform on the field. Professional: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said he never doubted that he would be playing in the game on Sunday . [caption . 'I’m still hurt and feel the pain of . life, but I’m able to function because of the peace and joy of knowing . my loved ones are in a much better place,' he said . 'I was set on it. I just look at things and I don't ask people to understand my mindset and how I think. Anything bad, I try to take good from it. That's the way I approach life in all situations. I never thought about not playing. It was all about just going out there and praying that I have the strength to get through and help my team. That was my focus.' Fans held signs that read 'Stay Strong 28' and 'Prayers for Adrian,' and several teammates offered hugs and well wishes before the game. 'I just prayed and asked God to give me the strength just to get through the game, just play and focus,' Peterson said. 'And for the most part, I did.' He took the field for Sunday’s match up against the Carolina Panthers to a roar from fans who had showed up early just to greet him. Peterson declined to discuss the relationship he had with the boy, who lived with his mother in Sioux Falls. The mother's boyfriend, Joseph Patterson, is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery. In their thoughts: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, left, hugs Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton . The show must go on: Adrian Peterson says 'God wants good to come' from tragedy . Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he thought his star running back handled himself well during the trying circumstances. 'It's a difficult, difficult situation and there are a lot of people trying to support him within in the organization, his teammates as well,' Frazier said. Panthers safety Mike Mitchell, who had two interceptions and a sack, sought out Peterson during the game to offer some words of encouragement. Mitchell said he mentioned to the deeply religious Peterson the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 about God providing hope for the future. 'I told him that to keep that in his heart as he continues to take this challenge going forward,' Mitchell said. Peterson said he is leaning on his teammates and family to help him through, and he will continue to look to the football field as a shelter, as he has throughout his life during the toughest of times. 'In life situations, and in football, you've got to continue to believe,' Peterson said. 'We've got to get everyone with that same mindset, to believe no matter what the circumstances.' Peterson also pointed out that he played following the death of a brother several years ago. In jail: Joseph Patterson, center, who is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery on an infant, leaves the Lincoln County Courthouse after a hearing on Friday . Notorious: Joseph Patterson, accused of beating NFL star Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son to death, has history of violence against women and children with several counts of assault . Charged: Joseph Robert Patterson, 27,  is charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault. It emerged in court that he had previously been charged over domestic violence . Peterson has had tragedy peppered throughout his life. When he was seven, he saw his older brother die in a bike accident after being hit by a drunken driver. For . Peterson's teenage years, his father was in prison. He grew up poor in . east Texas. Shortly before the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in 2007, a . half-brother, was shot and killed. Long . before Peterson began running through the NFL record book, he learned . to turn tragedy into fuel for an exceptional career. Thoughts and prayers: Minnesota Vikings fans have been expressing their support for Adrian Peterson and his family after the death of his two-year-old son. Here he is joined by Kyle Rudolph for the National Anthem before Sunday's NFL game . Working through the pain: Oftentimes athletes use work as a cathartic way to move through tragedy and will often dedicate their performance to those that they lost . 'Things . that I go through, I've said a thousand times, it helps me play this . game to a different level,'he said after practice, about an hour after . the child's death. 'I'm able to kind of release a lot of my stress . through this sport, so that's what I plan on doing.' Twitter has been filled with public . condolences for Peterson and his loved ones. From LeBron James to Barry . Sanders to Josh Groban, his peers, opponents and admirers expressed . their sadness and support. 'Praying . for you and your family. May God give you the strength,' tweeted New . York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, whose team plays the Vikings on . October 21. Tender: Adrian Peterson's two-year-old son Adrian Jr (pictured). It is another little boy, who the football player had out of wedlock, who was beaten to death . 'He's . a wonderful human being,' said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who coached . Peterson in college. 'He's a very faithful, strong, Christian guy that . we all dearly, we all love him. We're all there for him. Incredibly . tragic event. He's a great a kid, a great man, a great kid when I had . him.' Peterson had three children, including the unidentified two-year-old. Adrian . Peterson Jr, 3, showed up at training camp this year and posed for . pictures after one practice with his dad. Peterson also has a daughter; . he tweeted last month about how she teased him about Minnesota's loss . that afternoon to Cleveland, they both live with their father. 'So . my daughter is laying here under me and just out the blue she says ... I . can't believe you lost to the Browns Daddy!' Peterson posted on . September 22.
running back vowed to play just two days after Professional: Minnesota Vikings running back would be playing in the game on Sunday . [caption did.' He took the field for Sunday’s match up Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son to death, has . Peterson's teenage years, his father was in expressing their support for Adrian Peterson and his family after the death of his two-year-old