Photo Credit:
https://www.texasfootball.com/hof-adrian-
peterson?ref=search
This article was researched and compiled
by Carrie Birdsong
· Born: March 21st, 1985
· Birthplace: Palestine, Texas
· Height: 6 ft. 1 in,
· Weight: 220 lbs.
Career Information:
· High School: Palestine
· College: Oklahoma (2004 – 2006)
· NFL Draft: 2007: 1st round, 7th pick
· Jersey Numbers: 28, 23, 26, 8, 21
· Position: Running Back
Career History:
· Minnesota Vikings (2007 – 2016)
· New Orleans Saints (2017)
· Arizona Cardinals (2017)
· Washington Redskins (2018 – 2019)
· Detroit Lions (2020)
· Tennessee Titans (2021)
· Seattle Seahawks (2021)
Career Highlights and Awards:
· NFL Most Valuable Player (2012)
· NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2012)
· NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007)
· 4x First – Team All – Pro (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015)
· 3x Second – Team All – Pro (2007, 2010, 2013)
· 7x Pro Bowl (2007 – 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015)
· 3x NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2008, 2012, 2015)
· 2x NFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader (2009, 2015)
· NFL 2010’s All – Decade Team
· 2x Bert Bell Award (2008, 2012)
· Art Rooney Award (2019)
· PFWA NFL All – Rookie Team (2007)
· 50 Greatest Vikings
· Minnesota Vikings All – Mall of America Field Team
· Jim Brown Trophy (2004)
· Unanimous All – American (2004)
· Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2004)
· Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year (2004)
· 3x First – Team All – Big 12 (2004 – 2006)
NFL Record:
· Most rushing yards in a game: 296
· Most rushing yards in a game: 296
Career NFL Statistics:
· Rushing Yards: 14,918
· Rushing Average: 4.6
· Rushing Touchdowns: 120
· Receptions: 305
· Receiving Yards: 2,474
· Receiving Touchdowns: 6
Adrian Peterson (ne’ Brown(1)) is a professional football running back who played 15 seasons in the NFL. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs in football history. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, setting the freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards in 2004. Named a unanimous All – American that year, he became the first freshman to finish as a runner – up in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Peterson finished his college career as the Sooners’ third – all – time leading rusher.
He was selected by the Vikings by the Minnesota Vikings seventh overall in the 2007 NFL draft. As a rookie, he set an NFL record for the most rushing yards in a single game (296) and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was then named the MVP for his performance in the Pro Bowl, and became only the fifth player in NFL history to gain more than 3,000 yards through his first two seasons. In 2010, he became the fifth – soonest player to run for 5,000 yards, doing so in his 51st game.
Peterson tore both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in a game in late 2011. Despite that, he returned by the start of the 2012 season, and ended it with 2,097 rushing yards, just nine yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single – season record. For his efforts, he received the NFL MVP Award, the most recent non – quarterback to win the award. In 2013, Peterson became the third – soonest player to reach 10,000 rushing yards in NFL history.
In 2014, Peterson was indicted by a grand jury in Texas on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child that occurred earlier that year, and was suspended for the rest of the season. A free agent coming into the 2017 season, Peterson signed a two – year contract with the New Orleans Saints, but was traded to the Arizona Cardinals midseason before being released following the season’s end. Following that, Peterson played for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks.
Early Life
Peterson was born in Palestine, Texas, to Bonita Brown and Nelson Peterson, who were star athletes in college(2)(3)(4). His father was a shooting guard for Idaho State, but his dream of a National Basketball Association career was derailed when a gun that his brother was cleaning discharged into his leg(5)(6). His mother, a three – time Texas state champion at Westwood High School, attended the University of Houston on an athletic scholarship as a sprinter and long jumper(7). Peterson’s best friend was his older brother, Brian. Peterson’s father nicknamed him “All Day”, because his father said he could go all day.(8)
At age seven, Peterson saw his nine – year – old brother Brian killed by a drunk driver as he rode his bicycle(8). Around this time, Peterson began to deal with his pain through sports and became interested in football.(9)
His father Nelson participated as an assistant coach. Peterson played in the popular Anderson County Youth Football Program in East Texas(3). When Peterson was 13, his father was arrested for money laundering in a crack cocaine ring.(8)
High School Career
Peterson was a three – sport standout in football, basketball, and track at Palestine High School(10). Peterson was most notable in football, which he played during his junior and senior years(11)(12). During his sophomore year, he was not eligible to play for the Palestine High School Wildcats varsity football team(13). Peterson’s junior season ended with 2,051 yards on 246 carries, an average of 8.3 yards per carry, and 22 touchdowns(10). During his junior year, he began to attract the attention of Division I recruiters, and realized he would likely have his pick of colleges after his senior year.(14)
As a senior in 2003, he rushed for 2,960 yards on 252 attempts, an average of 11.7 yards per carry, and 32 touchdowns(15). After a game, players from the other team asked for his autograph(16). Following Maurice Clarett’s unsuccessful attempt to sue the NFL over its age limit in 2004, considerable debate arose over whether any high – school football player might be able to make the leap from the prepatory school to the professional game(17). The player most frequently mentioned was Peterson.(18)
Track and Field
Peterson followed in his mother’s footsteps to excel in track and field at Woodward, where he won several medals in events such as the 100 - and - 200 - meter races and triple – and long – jump events. Peterson’s coach has stated that he believes that had he not chosen a career in football, Peterson could have become an Olympic sprinter, instead. He recorded a wind – legal time of 10.26 seconds in the 100 – meter dash at the 2002 District 15 – 4A Championships, where he took first by a large margin. He also posted a wind – assisted time of 10.33 seconds at 100 meters at the 2003 UIL state track meet, where he earned a second – place finish behind Ivory Williams,(19)(20) who won the 2004 World Junior Championship over the same distance. At the 2004 District 14 – 4A championships, Peterson ran the second leg on the Palestine 4 x 100 meter relay squad, helping lead them to victory with a time of 41.50 seconds(21). Peterson has stated that his personal – best times are 10.19 seconds at 100 meters, 21.23 seconds at 200 meters, and 47.6 seconds at 400 meters.(22)
College Recruiting
Regarded as a five – star recruit by both the Rivals.com and Scout.com recruiting networks, Peterson was listed as the best running back and overall prospect in the class of 2004 by Rivals.com(23). After considering school such as Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Arkansas, and Miami (FL)(24)(25)(26), he decided that he wanted to go to a school where he could be a difference – maker in a national championship run and narrowed his choices down to USC and Oklahoma(27)(28). Concluding his high school football career at the annual U.S. Army All – American Bowl, he led the West squad with 95 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdowns, and announced at the game that he would attend college at the University of Oklahoma(29). Following his senior season, he was awarded the Hall Trophy as the U.S. Army National Player of the Year(29). In addition, he was named the top high – school player by College Football News and Rivals.com.(10)(23)
· Rushing Yards: 14,918
· Rushing Average: 4.6
· Rushing Touchdowns: 120
· Receptions: 305
· Receiving Yards: 2,474
· Receiving Touchdowns: 6
Adrian Peterson (ne’ Brown(1)) is a professional football running back who played 15 seasons in the NFL. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs in football history. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, setting the freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards in 2004. Named a unanimous All – American that year, he became the first freshman to finish as a runner – up in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Peterson finished his college career as the Sooners’ third – all – time leading rusher.
He was selected by the Vikings by the Minnesota Vikings seventh overall in the 2007 NFL draft. As a rookie, he set an NFL record for the most rushing yards in a single game (296) and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was then named the MVP for his performance in the Pro Bowl, and became only the fifth player in NFL history to gain more than 3,000 yards through his first two seasons. In 2010, he became the fifth – soonest player to run for 5,000 yards, doing so in his 51st game.
Peterson tore both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in a game in late 2011. Despite that, he returned by the start of the 2012 season, and ended it with 2,097 rushing yards, just nine yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single – season record. For his efforts, he received the NFL MVP Award, the most recent non – quarterback to win the award. In 2013, Peterson became the third – soonest player to reach 10,000 rushing yards in NFL history.
In 2014, Peterson was indicted by a grand jury in Texas on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child that occurred earlier that year, and was suspended for the rest of the season. A free agent coming into the 2017 season, Peterson signed a two – year contract with the New Orleans Saints, but was traded to the Arizona Cardinals midseason before being released following the season’s end. Following that, Peterson played for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks.
Early Life
Peterson was born in Palestine, Texas, to Bonita Brown and Nelson Peterson, who were star athletes in college(2)(3)(4). His father was a shooting guard for Idaho State, but his dream of a National Basketball Association career was derailed when a gun that his brother was cleaning discharged into his leg(5)(6). His mother, a three – time Texas state champion at Westwood High School, attended the University of Houston on an athletic scholarship as a sprinter and long jumper(7). Peterson’s best friend was his older brother, Brian. Peterson’s father nicknamed him “All Day”, because his father said he could go all day.(8)
At age seven, Peterson saw his nine – year – old brother Brian killed by a drunk driver as he rode his bicycle(8). Around this time, Peterson began to deal with his pain through sports and became interested in football.(9)
His father Nelson participated as an assistant coach. Peterson played in the popular Anderson County Youth Football Program in East Texas(3). When Peterson was 13, his father was arrested for money laundering in a crack cocaine ring.(8)
High School Career
Peterson was a three – sport standout in football, basketball, and track at Palestine High School(10). Peterson was most notable in football, which he played during his junior and senior years(11)(12). During his sophomore year, he was not eligible to play for the Palestine High School Wildcats varsity football team(13). Peterson’s junior season ended with 2,051 yards on 246 carries, an average of 8.3 yards per carry, and 22 touchdowns(10). During his junior year, he began to attract the attention of Division I recruiters, and realized he would likely have his pick of colleges after his senior year.(14)
As a senior in 2003, he rushed for 2,960 yards on 252 attempts, an average of 11.7 yards per carry, and 32 touchdowns(15). After a game, players from the other team asked for his autograph(16). Following Maurice Clarett’s unsuccessful attempt to sue the NFL over its age limit in 2004, considerable debate arose over whether any high – school football player might be able to make the leap from the prepatory school to the professional game(17). The player most frequently mentioned was Peterson.(18)
Track and Field
Peterson followed in his mother’s footsteps to excel in track and field at Woodward, where he won several medals in events such as the 100 - and - 200 - meter races and triple – and long – jump events. Peterson’s coach has stated that he believes that had he not chosen a career in football, Peterson could have become an Olympic sprinter, instead. He recorded a wind – legal time of 10.26 seconds in the 100 – meter dash at the 2002 District 15 – 4A Championships, where he took first by a large margin. He also posted a wind – assisted time of 10.33 seconds at 100 meters at the 2003 UIL state track meet, where he earned a second – place finish behind Ivory Williams,(19)(20) who won the 2004 World Junior Championship over the same distance. At the 2004 District 14 – 4A championships, Peterson ran the second leg on the Palestine 4 x 100 meter relay squad, helping lead them to victory with a time of 41.50 seconds(21). Peterson has stated that his personal – best times are 10.19 seconds at 100 meters, 21.23 seconds at 200 meters, and 47.6 seconds at 400 meters.(22)
College Recruiting
Regarded as a five – star recruit by both the Rivals.com and Scout.com recruiting networks, Peterson was listed as the best running back and overall prospect in the class of 2004 by Rivals.com(23). After considering school such as Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Arkansas, and Miami (FL)(24)(25)(26), he decided that he wanted to go to a school where he could be a difference – maker in a national championship run and narrowed his choices down to USC and Oklahoma(27)(28). Concluding his high school football career at the annual U.S. Army All – American Bowl, he led the West squad with 95 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdowns, and announced at the game that he would attend college at the University of Oklahoma(29). Following his senior season, he was awarded the Hall Trophy as the U.S. Army National Player of the Year(29). In addition, he was named the top high – school player by College Football News and Rivals.com.(10)(23)
College Career
2004 Season
Photo Credit:
Against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Bedlam Series, Peterson had an 80 – yard touchdown run and rushed for 161 yards in the third quarter, finishing with a career – high 249 yards(43). Despite dislocating his left shoulder in the first half, he managed to run for 101 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries, his ninth straight 100 – yard game, against Texas A&M(44). In the next game against Nebraska, he saw little action because of his shoulder injury and finished with 58 yards, which ended his streak of consecutive games with at least 100 rushing at nine(45). In a game against Baylor, Peterson ran for 240 yards, including three second – half touchdowns,(46) and set the NCAA record for most 100 – yards games by a freshman with 11 against Colorado(47). Oklahoma, who were one of the poorest rushing teams the year before, became one of the nation’s best.(48)
Despite his record – breaking season, he finished second to USC Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart in the Heisman Trophy voting(32)(49). Among other honors, he was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award,(50) and the first Oklahoma freshman recognized as a first – team Associated Press All – American(32)(51). Peterson contributed to a perfect regular season for the Sooners and participated in the 2005 BCS National Championship Game with a berth to the 2005 Orange Bowl against USC(50). USC retooled their defense to stop Peterson and limited him to just 82 yards, as the Trojans defeated the Sooners by a score of 55 – 19(52). After the season, he had surgery on his left shoulder to strengthen the muscles around the joint.(53)
In the 2005 season, Peterson’s playing time was limited by a broken foot(10). He started off the season with 63 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in a 17 – 10 loss to TCU(55). In the next game, against Tulsa, he had 220 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to help the Sooners to the 31 – 15 victory(56). He injured his ankle in the first Big 12 Conference game of the season against Kansas State(57). Despite missing time in four games, he rushed for 1,208 yards and 14 touchdowns on 220 carries, finishing second in rushing yardage in the Big 12(32)(58). His 2005 season was also notable for a career – long 84 – yard touchdown run as part a 237 – yard and two – touchdown performance in a 42 – 14 victory over Oklahoma State(32)(59). Oklahoma finished the season with an 8 – 4 record, its worst season since 1999(60)(61). Upon the conclusion of the season, he was named a member of the All – Big 12 Conference team.(32)
2006 season
Peterson started the 2006 season off strong, rushing for an average of over 150 yards per game and scoring nine total touchdowns over five games(62). Peterson’s father, Nelson, was released from prison during the 2006 college football season and was able to watch his son as a spectator for the first time on October 14th,(9) when Oklahoma played Iowa State. Oklahoma defeated Iowa State in that game; however, on the final drive for the Sooners, Peterson broke his collar bone when he dove into the end zone on a 53 – yard touchdown run(63). During a press conference on October 18th, Peterson said he was told by doctors to expect to be out for 4 – 6 weeks(64). At the time of the injury, Peterson needed only to gain 150 yards to pass Billy Sims as the University of Oklahoma’s all – time leading rusher(65). He was unable to return for the rest of the Sooners’ regular season and missed seven games. The Sooners would turn to Allen Patrick, a junior, and Chris Brown, a freshman, to replace Peterson(66). The team went on a seven – game winning streak including winning the Big 12 Championship game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers(67)(68). He returned for their last game against Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, where he rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown in the 43 – 42 overtime loss(63). He concluded his college career with 1,012 rushing yards his final season, even after missing multiple games due to injury(69)(70) for a total of 4,045 rushing yards in only three seasons(71). He finished third in school history and 73 yards short of passing Billy Sims as the school’s all – time leading rusher.(71)
College Statistics:
Part 2 of the Adrian Peterson article will be
published Tuesday September 23, 2025
