Minnesota Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson is one of the best players in the NFL. Naturally, most sports fans are going to know the basics about him. Before we highlight some of the facts you may not know about him, let’s knock out the basics. First, Peterson was drafted in 2007 as the seventh overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings out of Oklahoma University. He’s had a ridiculous NFL career in just seven seasons that has seen him take home over 30 awards, honors and records. Most notably, he was named the NFL MVP in 2008 and 2010. He’s also been one of the top 5 players to reach 8,000 and 10,000 yards for a career. Peterson’s legacy is marked by one of the most amazing recoveries from an ACL and MCL tear in 2011. Peterson was injured in a game in December 2011 and ended up making the Vikings’ opening day game in which he rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the year as the NFL MVP and Comeback Player of the Year. It was the most incredible recovery from major reconstructive surgery we’ve seen to date.
So now that we have all that covered, here are some things you may not know….
Adrian’s Father’s NBA Dream Derailed
AP’s father was a star shooting guard who dreamed of playing in the NBA. His dreams were crushed when a gun that his brother was cleaning was discharged into his leg. Peterson’s mother was also a star athlete. She was a three-time Texas state champion as a sprinter and long-jumper. For her success she was awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of Houston.
Nicknamed “All Day”
It was Peterson’s father who nicknamed him “All Day”. It was pretty obvious at an early age that Peterson was a special talent excelling in basketball and football. Peterson was head and shoulders better than any other kid in Pee Wees and it was evident that he could go “all day” according to his father.
Rough Childhood
AP’s childhood was very challenging for a young kid. At the age of 7 he saw his older brother and best friend killed by a drunk driver as he rode his bicycle. It was at this time Adrian began dealing with his pain and sadness through sports. At the age of 13, Peterson’s father was arrested for money laundering in a crack cocaine ring.
Adrian Peterson’s Children
In 2009, ESPN’s Rachel Nichols interviewed AP for an episode E:60 entitled “All Day”. In that interview Nichols said that Peterson had two children. Last year, Peterson lost a child to abuse, but only knew about the kid just two weeks before his untimely death. At that time, reports came out that Peterson may have at least seven children. The actual number is unknown.
AP is Hardcore Christian
Peterson has made no secret about his faith. He’s been rather outspoken when discussing his life and religion. He approached his devastating injury with the mindset that it was “a blessing in disguise” and “he’ll come back stronger that ever”. He may have been right.
Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
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