LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen said that while he doesn't know all the details concerning former Minnesota Vikings teammate Adrian Peterson's legal situation, he believes "good people make mistakes."

Allen played alongside Peterson for six seasons in Minnesota before joining the Bears.

"My focus is on the Chicago Bears, honestly, and what I've got to do with my life," Allen said when asked about Peterson. "I've said it all along: I have my beliefs and my opinions, and that's what they are, and I live my life a certain way. I believe good people can make bad decisions. I'm not perfect. So I'm not one to cast judgment on others. They'll have to deal with those circumstances. It's a tough deal, and it's sad. It was sad to hear."

Peterson faces a child abuse charge in Texas for spanking his son in May with a wooden switch, with the incident leaving scarring and injuries. The child's mother reported possible abuse to Hennepin County Child Protection services, and two doctor's exams revealed the boy suffered injuries consistent with abuse.

The Vikings dropped Peterson from their active roster while the criminal case against the running back is still pending.

Asked about how Peterson was as a teammate, Allen called the running back "a good-hearted man. He always treated myself with respect, my wife with respect. He'd come over to the house for bobsledding. I honestly believe good people make mistakes. I don't know the facts. I don't know the details. I'm not one to condemn others and place judgment on them when I don't know all the information."