Adrian Peterson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Adrian Peterson

Peterson in 2019
No. 28, 23, 26, 8, 21
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1985-03-21) March 21, 1985 (age 40) Palestine, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Palestine
College:	Oklahoma (2004–2006)
NFL Draft:	2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2007) New Orleans Saints (2017) Arizona Cardinals (2017) Washington Redskins (2018) 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) 4× First-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015) 3× Second-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2013) 7× Pro Bowl (2007–2010, 2012, 2013, 2015) 3× NFL rushing yards leader (2008, 2012, 2015) 2× NFL rushing touchdowns leader (2009, 2015) NFL 2010s All-Decade Team 2× 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) 3× First-team All-Big 12 (2004–2006) NFL record 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
Player stats at PFR

Adrian Lewis Peterson, also known as "All Day," is a former professional football running back. He was born on March 21, 1985. Many people consider him one of the best running backs in football history. He played for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Peterson played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. In 2004, he set a freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards. He was the first freshman to be a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. He finished his college career as the Sooners' third-best rusher of all time.

The Minnesota Vikings picked him 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). He was also named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He later became the MVP of the Pro Bowl.

In late 2011, Peterson suffered a serious knee injury. Despite this, he came back strong for the 2012 season. He rushed for 2,097 yards, almost breaking the single-season record. For his amazing comeback, he won the NFL MVP Award. He is the most recent non-quarterback to win this award.

After leaving the Vikings, Peterson played for several other teams. These included the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks.

Adrian Peterson: Early Life and Sports Beginnings

Adrian Peterson was born in Palestine, Texas. His parents, Bonita Brown and Nelson Peterson, were both great athletes in college. His father played basketball for Idaho State. His mother was a champion sprinter and long jumper at Westwood High School. She went to the University of Houston on a scholarship.

Peterson's father gave him the nickname "All Day." He said Adrian could play sports all day long. When Adrian was seven, his older brother Brian died in a tragic accident. Around this time, Peterson found comfort and focus in sports, especially football. His father helped coach him in youth football.

When Peterson was 13, his father faced some legal issues.

High School Football and Track Star

Peterson was awarded the 2003 Hall Trophy as the U.S. Army National Player of the Year.

Peterson was a star in three sports at Palestine High School: football, basketball, and track. He was best known for football, which he played in his junior and senior years. In his junior year, he ran for over 2,000 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. College recruiters started to notice him.

In his senior year (2003), he rushed for an incredible 2,960 yards and 32 touchdowns. After some games, players from other teams even asked for his autograph! Many wondered if he could go straight from high school to the NFL.

Track and Field Achievements

Peterson also excelled in track and field, just like his mother. He won many medals in races like the 100 and 200 meters, and in long jump. His coach believed Peterson could have been an Olympic sprinter if he hadn't chosen football. He ran the 100-meter dash in 10.26 seconds in 2002.

Choosing a College Team

Peterson was considered a top recruit by many college scouting groups. He was ranked as the best running back in the class of 2004. He wanted to go to a school where he could help win a national championship. He chose the University of Oklahoma. After his senior season, he won the Hall Trophy as the U.S. Army National Player of the Year.

College Football Career

Peterson played for the Oklahoma Sooners football team from 2004 to 2006. Their coach was Bob Stoops.

Freshman Year: 2004 Season

Peterson before a game against the Washington Huskies.

In his first year at Oklahoma, Peterson broke several NCAA freshman rushing records. He rushed for 1,925 yards, leading the conference. He ran for over 100 yards in his first nine games, which was a freshman record. He had huge games, including 249 yards against Oklahoma State.

Even with a dislocated shoulder, he kept playing. He helped Oklahoma become one of the best rushing teams in the nation. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting that year. He was also named a first-team All-American. Oklahoma played in the 2005 BCS National Championship Game but lost to USC.

Sophomore Year: 2005 Season

In 2005, Peterson's playing time was limited because of a broken foot. He still managed to rush for 1,208 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had a career-long 84-yard touchdown run against Oklahoma State. He was named to the All-Big 12 Conference team.

Junior Year: 2006 Season

Peterson runs against Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl

Peterson started the 2006 season very strong. He averaged over 150 rushing yards per game in his first five games. His father, Nelson, was released from prison during this season. He was able to watch Adrian play for the first time.

Peterson broke his collar bone in a game against Iowa State. He missed seven games because of this injury. He returned for the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, where he rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown. He finished his college career with 4,045 rushing yards in just three seasons.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

On January 15, 2007, Peterson decided to leave college early for the 2007 NFL draft. Scouts saw him as a rare talent with speed, strength, and agility. They compared him to football legends like Eric Dickerson and Jim Brown. Some teams worried about his past injuries in college.

Minnesota Vikings: A Star is Born

2007 Season: Rookie Sensation

On April 28, 2007, the Minnesota Vikings drafted Peterson as the seventh overall pick. He signed a five-year contract worth $40.5 million. Peterson had big goals for himself, including being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

On September 9, 2007, Peterson rushed for 103 yards in his first NFL game. He also scored his first touchdown on a 60-yard pass. He quickly set team records for a rookie. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for September and October.

His biggest game came on October 14, 2007, against the Chicago Bears. He rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns. He also set an NFL rookie record with 361 all-purpose yards. Just three weeks later, on November 4, 2007, Peterson broke the NFL single-game rushing record. He ran for 296 yards and three touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers. This amazing performance earned him his second Offensive Player of the Week award.

Peterson was named MVP of the 2008 Pro Bowl

His jersey from that record-breaking game was sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Peterson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He also won the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl MVP award. He was the first rookie since 1994 to win this award. Peterson finished his rookie season with 1,341 rushing yards.

2008 Season: Leading the League

Peterson in a 2008 NFC Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles

Peterson had another fantastic season in 2008. He played in all 16 games and had ten games with over 100 rushing yards. He finished the season leading the league in rushing with 1,760 yards. This was the third-most yards ever in a player's second season. He was named to his second All-Pro team.

The Vikings made the playoffs with a 10–6 record. In his first playoff game, Peterson rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

2009 Season: More Touchdowns

Peterson following a week 10 win over the Detroit Lions, which he ran for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns

Before the 2009 season, many experts called Peterson the best running back in the NFL. The famous quarterback Brett Favre joined the Vikings, which helped Peterson even more. Peterson started the season with 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,383 rushing yards and a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns. He also had a career-high 43 receptions for 436 receiving yards.

In the playoffs, the Vikings beat the Dallas Cowboys. However, they lost to the New Orleans Saints in overtime in the NFC Championship game. Peterson rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns in that loss. He was voted to his third straight Pro Bowl.

2010 Season: Fewer Fumbles

Peterson at Lambeau Field in 2010

Peterson started the 2010 season strong with 392 yards and three touchdowns in the first three weeks. He reached the 5,000 career rushing yards mark in Week 6. Peterson, who had fumbled the ball often in previous seasons, had only one fumble during the entire 2010 regular season. He finished with 1,267 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He was ranked as the third-best player in the NFL by his fellow players.

2011 Season: Major Injury

On September 10, 2011, the Vikings signed Peterson to a $96 million contract over seven seasons. This made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history at the time. He reached the 6,000-yard milestone in September.

Peterson in 2011

On December 24, Peterson suffered a serious injury in a game against the Washington Redskins. He tore both his ACL and MCL in his knee. This ended his season. He finished the 2011 season with 970 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

2012 Season: MVP Comeback

Peterson in the week 17 game against Green Bay, where he came nine yards short of breaking the all-time rushing record

Peterson made an incredible comeback in 2012, just eight months after his major knee injury. He rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back. He had many huge games, including 210 yards against the Green Bay Packers. He rushed for 861 yards in December, which is the most for a single month in NFL history.

Entering the final game of the season, he needed 208 yards to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. Peterson rushed for 199 yards, falling just nine yards short of the record. He finished the season with 2,097 rushing yards, the second-most ever in a single season. He became only the seventh player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards.

The Vikings improved from a 3–13 record in 2011 to 10–6 in 2012, making the playoffs. For his amazing season and comeback, Peterson won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and the NFL Most Valuable Player awards. He was ranked as the best player in the NFL by his peers.

2013 Season: Personal Challenges

Peterson in 2013 against the Cleveland Browns

Peterson started the 2013 season with a 78-yard touchdown run on his first carry. He faced a very difficult personal challenge in October when his young son passed away due to injuries. Despite this tragedy, he continued to play.

On December 1, he rushed for 211 yards against the Chicago Bears. In that game, Peterson reached 10,000 career rushing yards, becoming the third-fastest player to reach this milestone. He finished the season with 1,266 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named to his sixth Pro Bowl.

2014 Season: Suspension

Peterson played in only one game in 2014. He was suspended for the rest of the season due to legal issues related to child discipline. He was reinstated to the league in February 2015.

2015 Season: Rushing Title

Peterson returned to the Vikings in June 2015. He struggled in his first game back but quickly found his form. On November 15, he rushed for 203 yards against the Oakland Raiders. This was his sixth career game with over 200 rushing yards, tying an NFL record.

He finished the season leading the NFL in rushing with 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. This was his third career rushing title. He was named a first-team All-Pro for the fourth time and chosen for his seventh Pro Bowl. He was ranked as the fifth-best player in the NFL by his peers.

2016 Season: Another Injury

Peterson started the 2016 season quietly. In Week 2, he suffered another knee injury, a torn meniscus. He was placed on injured reserve. He returned for a few games late in the season. In February 2017, the Vikings decided not to keep Peterson on their team. He left the Vikings as their all-time leading rusher.

New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals

In 2017, Peterson signed with the New Orleans Saints. He played his first game against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings. He had limited playing time with the Saints.

On October 10, 2017, Peterson was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. In his first game with the Cardinals, he rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He had another strong game with 159 rushing yards. He was later placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury. He was released by the Cardinals in March 2018.

Washington Redskins: Still Going Strong

[[Multiple image | perrow = 3 | direction = horizontal | align = right | total_width = 400 | footer = Peterson during his two seasons with the Washington Redskins | image1 = Adrian Peterson (44202804292).jpg | image2 = Adrian Peterson 2019 (cropped).jpg | image3 = Adrian Peterson (46199469032).jpg ]] Peterson signed with the Washington Redskins on August 20, 2018. In his first game, he rushed for 96 yards and caught two passes for 70 yards. This moved him past Jim Brown into the top 10 on the career rushing yards list. He also scored his 100th career rushing touchdown.

In Week 8, he rushed for 149 yards and a 64-yard touchdown. In Week 13, he had a career-high 90-yard rushing touchdown. He finished the 2018 season with 1,042 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He became one of only five NFL players aged 33 or older to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

2019 Season: Climbing the Ranks

Peterson running against the Buffalo Bills in 2019

Peterson signed a new contract with the Redskins in March 2019. In Week 2, he scored his 107th career touchdown, passing Jim Brown for fifth all-time. In Week 8, he passed Jerome Bettis and LaDainian Tomlinson for sixth all-time in career rushing yards.

On December 15, he passed Curtis Martin for fifth all-time in rushing yards. He also tied Walter Payton for fourth all-time in rushing touchdowns with 110. He finished the season with 898 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2010s.

Detroit Lions

On September 6, 2020, Peterson signed with the Detroit Lions. In his first game, he had 114 yards from scrimmage. He scored two rushing touchdowns in Week 12 and two more in Week 13, including the game-winner. He finished the 2020 season with 604 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks

In November 2021, Peterson signed with the Tennessee Titans. He scored his first touchdown as a Titan in his debut game. He was later waived by the Titans.

On December 1, 2021, Peterson joined the Seattle Seahawks. He scored a rushing touchdown in his first game with the Seahawks. This tied him with Jim Brown for tenth on the all-time rushing touchdowns list. He also became the first player in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown with six different teams.

Peterson did not play in the 2022 or 2023 seasons. He has stated he would officially retire if he did not play in 2023.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Records and Achievements

Adrian Peterson holds many impressive records and has received numerous honors:

• Most rushing yards in a single game (296 yards).
• Most rushing yards in any eight-game period (1,322 yards).
• Tied for most 200+ rushing yard games in a career (6 games).
• NFL MVP (2012).
• 3-time NFL rushing yards leader (2008, 2012, 2015).
• First player in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown with six different teams.

Vikings Team Records

• Most career rushing touchdowns (97).
• Most rushing yards in a single season (2,097 in 2012).
• Most rushing touchdowns in a single season (18 in 2009).
• Most career rushing yards (11,747).

Awards and Honors

NFL Awards

• NFL Most Valuable Player (2012)
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2012)
• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007)
• 4× First-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015)
• 7× Pro Bowl (2007–2010, 2012, 2013, 2015)
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

College Awards

• Jim Brown Trophy (2004)
• Unanimous first-team All-American (2004)
• Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2004)

Personal Life

Adrian Peterson is a Christian. He has spoken about how his faith helped him through injuries. He said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Peterson is friends with offensive tackle Trent Williams. They were teammates in college and with the Washington Redskins. In 2016, they opened a gym together in Houston.

Peterson's daughter, Ari Peterson, plays basketball. She has received offers from major universities.

Post-Playing Career

In July 2022, Peterson had an exhibition boxing match against fellow NFL veteran Le'Veon Bell. Peterson lost the fight in the fifth round.

In 2023, Peterson appeared on the TV show Dancing with the Stars. He and his dance partner finished in 11th place.

Images for kids

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  Peterson was awarded the 2003 Hall Trophy as the U.S. Army National Player of the Year.

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  Peterson before a game against the Washington Huskies.

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  Peterson was named MVP of the 2008 Pro Bowl

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  Peterson in a 2008 NFC Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles

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  Peterson following a week 10 win over the Detroit Lions, which he ran for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns

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  Peterson at Lambeau Field in 2010

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  Peterson in 2011

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  Peterson in the week 17 game against Green Bay, where he came nine yards short of breaking the all-time rushing record

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  Peterson in 2013 against the Cleveland Browns

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  Peterson during his two seasons with the Washington Redskins

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  Peterson during his two seasons with the Washington Redskins

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  Peterson during his two seasons with the Washington Redskins

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  Peterson running against the Buffalo Bills in 2019

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  Peterson with Alex Smith in 2020

See also

In Spanish: Adrian Peterson para niños