The past year has been difficult for Minnesota Vikings four-time Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson. The 2011 National Football League season was the first year in which Peterson did not gain at least 1,000 yards rushing in his career. On Christmas Eve, Peterson suffered a torn ACL and MCL against The Washington Redskins. On July 7, Peterson was arrested following an incident at a nightclub in Houston as Peterson is denying any wrongdoing on his part. When players suffers a knee injury as severe as Peterson’s, the following season is then put in doubt.
Like many great athletes before him, Peterson accepted the challenge that rehabilitation put on him. Peterson was so intense during his rehab that Vikings officials had to slow him down. In the spring when Peterson ran sprints with his teammates, he actually ran faster than the majority of his teammates.
I didn’t expect Peterson to be ready for opening day, but the former Oklahoma Sooner suited up for the season opener against The Jacksonville Jaguars. Peterson had 17 carries for 84 yards and two rushing touchdowns in The Vikings 26-23 overtime victory. This past Sunday, Peterson had his first 100-yard rushing performance since his knee injury. Peterson had 102 yards on 21 carries as The Vikings defeated The Detroit Lions 20-13.
Peterson is a beacon of courage for his teammates as he refused to give up following his knee injury. Coming into this season it was an afterthought that The Vikings would finish in the basement of The NFC North with The Lions, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers battling it out for the top spot, but after four games it is The Vikings who are the kings of the mountain in The NFC North with a record of 3-1.
At 6’2″, 217 lbs., Peterson has the size of Eric Dickerson, the power of Earl Campbell, the speed of Gale Sayers, and the determination of Walter Payton. If legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan were cutting a promo he would tell you that it is all about the training, the prayers, the vitamins, and believing in yourself as far as Peterson. When you combine all of these elements of these Hall of Fame running backs, you get the runaway freight train that Peterson is.
Peterson is already The Vikings all-time leading rusher with 7,084 career rushing yards and this season he is currently 10th in rushing with 332 yards. Next on Peterson’s list will be passing Charlie Garner on The NFL’s all-time rushing list. Garner currently sits at 53rd place with 7,097 career rushing yards. Former NFL running back George Rogers is 52nd on the list at 7,176 career rushing yards and it won’t be long before Peterson passes him as well. Peterson is just apart of the excitement that is following The Vikings this season, but when 52 players see a man that is giving it all like Peterson, it shouldn’t be a shock that this team is in first place.
Source: pro-football-reference.com
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