131 Adrian Peterson Facts: Career, Childhood, Accomplishments, And More
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One of the renowned running backs in the game of American football today, Adrian Peterson is a superstar and was born on March 21, 1985.
Born in Palestine, Texas in the United States, he plays for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League (NFL).
Adrian Peterson played college football at Oklahoma University, where, during the 2004 season, he set the freshman rushing record, and when he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings, he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as a rookie.
His strength, speed, and elusiveness are what makes Adrian Peterson one of the best running backs in the world and in NFL history. The NFL player was born in Palestine, Texas and he attended Palestine High School.
He was a brilliant athlete in his school. As Peterson grew up near Dallas, he was naturally a big Cowboys fan and he was a huge fan of Emmitt Smith.
He did not have a very easy childhood. When he was a young man, his parents divorced and when he was just seven years old his older brother was killed by a drunk driver.
His father was sent to jail when he was only 13. All his strength came from his mother who raised him well and gave him a good home for him to be capable of becoming the Most Valuable Player in the NFL (2012).
Even at a young age, Adrian Peterson was a standout football player. Adrian Peterson was even a star at the track team of his high school.
As the family moved, Adrian Peterson could not play until his junior year in high school, but once he could, he was known for rushing more than 2000 yds (1828.8 m) and even scoring 22 touchdowns.
By the time he reached the senior year of high school, he was already one of the best backs in the country with 2960 yds (2706.62 m) and 32 touchdowns. Adrian Peterson had a lot of choices when it came to college, but he chose to go to Oklahoma University.
The freshman year he had was one of the greatest freshmen seasons in the history of college football. He finished second in the Heisman voting after he rushed for 1925 yds (1760.22 m).
He was the first freshman to finish second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
This was during the 2004 season. Injury-hit next, and his next two years were somewhat disappointing as he could not play much of the games.
After his junior year in college, Adrian Peterson decided to enter the NFL Draft and go pro. The Minnesota Vikings were the ones who selected Adrian Peterson with the seventh overall pick at the NFL draft.
Minnesota Vikings were right in choosing Peterson as he had an outstanding rookie year with his debut game.
He had a career breakthrough against Chicago Bears in the same season. The first season saw the football player rush for 1341 yds (1226.21 m) and get 12 touchdowns.
Adrian Peterson was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. His rush for 296 yds (270.66 m) against the San Diego Chargers also set an NFL record for most yards in a single game in NFL history.
Ever since his game has not deteriorated and Peterson has been one of the best players consistently in the National Football League.
He had a problem of fumbling earlier on his career history, but in the 2010 season, Peterson only fumbled once. The offensive player has been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl every year, whenever he has played a full year in the league.
After returning from an injury in 2012-he rushed for 2097 yds (1917.49 m). He could have broken the all-time NFL record and only missed by 9 yds (8.22 m). Adrian Peterson was also named the 2012 NFL MVP.
He played for Minnesota Vikings from 2007 to 2016, and then New Orleans Saints in 2017. He then moved to Arizona Cardinals in 2017. Peterson played for Washington Redskins from 2018. He played for the Detroit Lions and then the Tennessee Titans next. He is now plying his trade for the Seattle Seahawks.
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Fun Facts About Adrian Peterson
Adrian Lewis Peterson is one of the greatest American football running backs in the world. He has set and broken many records during his career.
Adrian Peterson is also known by his nicknames Purple Jesus and AD (AD stands for All Day). Peterson also played for his high school basketball team, as well as track and football.
Once while playing football in high school, he ran for six touchdowns and 350 yds (320.04 m) in just one half. His father wanted to play in the NBA, but he could not after his accident.
Adrian's father played basketball and was a star player for Idaho state.
His mother too was a star as she was a track and field athlete at the University of Houston. Adrian Peterson always wanted to wear the number 29 as it was Eric Dickerson's number, but he did not get the number and chose 28 instead and that has been his number ever since school.
It's not just football that Adrian Peterson is great for. He has worked in Africa helping children and adults with hearing problems. Peterson is also a sponsor of the AAU girl's basketball team based in Texas. The All-Day Foundation, created by Adrian Peterson, works on giving back to society.
Peterson played just a single game in 2014 for the Minnesota Vikings. His life is full of instances when he proved his critics wrong.
Peterson ended the 2018 season in the eighth position on the all-time rushing list of the NFL. Even after numerous setbacks and other health issues, the offensive player still plays every game as if nothing has ever changed.
Facts About Adrian Peterson's Career
As Peterson made the Oklahoma team one of the nation's greatest, he was also titled First-Team Associated Press All-American.
Due to his various injuries in college itself, he could not play much but always helped his team Oklahoma Sooners whenever he could.
After finishing the year 2006, Adrian went on the NFL draft, and on June 29, 2007, Minnesota Vikings signed him on a five-year $40.5 million contract. Adrian spent nine years with the team.
He had a brilliant rookie year after making the game debut against Atlanta Falcons. In his game against Chicago Bears, he even posted a record of 224 rushing yds (204.82 m) and 20 carries which was franchise-best then.
The season ended with 1,341 yds (1226.21 m) and 12 touchdowns. He was even named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The year 2012 was the best for him. Most of the year 2016, Peterson was sidelined with a knee injury. Vikings released him later and he signed with the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 season.
It was a two-year $7 million contract with another $2.5 million as a signing bonus. He just played a few games for the Saints and soon the team traded Peterson to The Arizona Cardinals in 2017 making his debut on October 17.
In 2018, Washington Redskins signed a one-year contract with Peterson. He then extended his contract for two years with $8 million.
In 2020, he was released and he signed with the Detroit Lions. He is now playing for Seattle Seahawks.
Facts About Adrian Peterson's Accomplishments
Here are some of the awards he won in the game of football he loves.
In 2007, he won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Week in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2012, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month in September and October of 2007.
He was also deemed NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by Associated Press in 2012, Pro Bowl MVP in 2007, Best running back in the NFL in ESPN and NFL Network in 2009, NFL Most Valuable Player in 2012, Art Rooney Award in 2019, FedEx Ground Player of the Week once in 2009, and many more.
Facts About Adrian Peterson's Childhood
On March 21, 1985, Adrian Peterson was born to Bonita Jackson and Nelson Peterson. Alongside his siblings, Adrian Peterson grew up in Palestine, Texas.
His childhood was pretty rough after his nine-year-old brother Brian's death. His parents divorced next and at the age of 13, his father was arrested for money laundering. His mother was his backbone and she raised Peterson to become the brilliant athlete he is today.
His father and mother were both star athletes. Nelson played professional basketball while Bonita was a track and field player with three Texas state championships under her name.
Peterson joined high school and started early and he excelled in football, basketball, and track races. In Palestine High School, he excelled in the game of football the most. At the end of the high school years in 2004, he also took part in the annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
He joined the University of Oklahoma later and played for them. The first team was average, but he made the team become one of the nation's best even after so many injuries.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 131 Adrian Peterson facts, then why not take a look at Lionel Messi facts or American football facts.
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