Around the NFL: Giants FB Whitlock victim of robbery and bigotry

By Ryan Gerstel, Eagledelphia contributor

Whitlock target of bigotry: New York Giants fullback Nikita Whitlock detailed a disturbing scene to WCBS-TV in New York Wednesday, saying that his New Jersey home was robbed and that the culprits had sprayed racist remarks such as "Go back to Africa" and the letters "KKK" with graffiti. 

Whitlock, 25, also said that jewelry and video game systems were taken from his apartment where he, his wife and two children reside.

"It's very disgusting, actually; it's very disheartening," Whitlock's wife, Ashley, said, via ESPN. "You hear about things that do happen, but you never think, 'Oh, this is going to happen to me."

Whitlock said that the burglars came in through a small window while he and his family were out for a few hours. 

"It just re-establishes that no matter where you are, no matter who you are, this can happen to you," Whitlock said.

The second-year player is currently serving a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He previously served a four-game suspension back in 2014 for the same substance.

"It's about to be 2017,"  Whitlock said. "Oppression, violence, racism, hatred, violence, there's no need for that."

AP return "something I envision:" Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson told reporters Wednesday that he plans to play again in 2016 as long as the Vikings stay in contention.

 The one caveat is that if the Vikings are mathematically eliminated before the season's over, the 31-year-old will not risk injury to play meaningless games.

Peterson has been on injured reserve since suffering a knee injury back in Week 2. The Vikings have yet to use their designated to return option, which has kept the door for a possible Peterson return open.

If the Vikings can stay in the race, they might have their best player back for a late season playoff push.

Beckham regrets officiating comments: New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. admitted Wednesday that he regrets the officiating comments he made following the Giants' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

But despite his regret, Beckham still threw in a subtle jab towards the referees.

"Like I said, everybody knows what is going on on the field. Everybody can see it. Stevie Wonder can see it. It is what it is. You can't do anything about it. There is no point."

Following the loss, Beckham was heated about a number of calls and no-calls that occurred throughout the game, and went as far to suggest that the particular officiating crew, led by Terry McAulay, should never be allowed to work another Giants game again.

"I don't even know why … I shouldn't have even brought it up because it's always a lose-lose situation bringing something up," Beckham said Wednesday. "Either you're speaking out on it or now you're trying to defend yourself. Or the other way around, you're complaining.

"Either way it goes, I should've never brought it up. It's irrelevant. Nothing is going to change. No calls are going to be made because of what I say now. You just have to keep playing."

Beckham still finished with an impressive 10 catches on 16 targets for 100 yards Sunday despite the questionable officiating.

At 8-4, the Giants will have to win some key games down the stretch to stay in playoff contention. Their remaining four games kicks off Sunday night with a date with the 11-1 Dallas Cowboys and winds down with tough games against the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. 

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