
AdrianPeterson
One of the greatest running backs in NFL history, 2012 NFL MVP and seven-time Pro Bowler who ran for over 14,000 career yards.
Adrian Peterson biography and NFL career overview.
Adrian Lewis Peterson is a former running back born March 21, 1985, in Palestine, Texas (6'1", 217 lbs). He played college football at Oklahoma, was drafted 7th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft, and later played for New Orleans, Arizona, Washington, Detroit, Tennessee, and Seattle. He's the 2012 NFL MVP, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and four-time first-team All-Pro.
Peterson endured childhood tragedy — he watched his older brother killed by a drunk driver at age seven, and his father was later imprisoned for money laundering — and channeled that pain into football, earning the nickname "All Day." At Oklahoma, he set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards in 2004 and became the first true freshman to finish as Heisman runner-up.
The Vikings took Peterson 7th overall in 2007. In just his eighth NFL game, he set the still-standing single-game rushing record with 296 yards against the Chargers, and he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 2008 he led the league in rushing for the first time. After tearing his ACL and MCL late in 2011, he made a stunning comeback in 2012, rushing for 2,097 yards — the second-most in a single season ever, just nine yards short of the all-time record — and won NFL MVP, becoming the most recent non-quarterback to do so.
Peterson's career was overshadowed in 2014 by a child-abuse case involving corporal punishment of his young son, which led to a season-long suspension. He continued playing into his late 30s for several teams, becoming the first player in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown for six different franchises.
Peterson retired with 14,918 career rushing yards (fifth all-time) and 120 rushing touchdowns, along with three career rushing titles. He's remembered as one of the most explosive power-speed backs the game has seen, drawing comparisons to Eric Dickerson and Jim Brown. Peterson retired with 14,918 career rushing yards (fifth all-time) and 120 rushing touchdowns, along with three career rushing titles. He's remembered as one of the most explosive power-speed backs the game has seen, drawing comparisons to Eric Dickerson and Jim Brown.
Quick facts about Adrian Peterson — full name, college, position, NFL debut, teams, and years active.
Adrian Peterson awards and honors — Super Bowls, MVP, Pro Bowl, and Hall of Fame.
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2×Regular-season rushing stats by year.
Adrian Peterson career totals — receptions, rushing yards, touchdowns, and Pro Bowl honors.
Adrian Peterson single-game career highs — best rushing and receiving performances.
Adrian Peterson playoff stats — postseason averages and totals.
Adrian Peterson Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors.
Adrian Peterson team history — Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders and career timeline.
Adrian Peterson salary history and career earnings ($103,215,972 total) per Spotrac.
NFL legends similar to Adrian Peterson by position, era, and career arc.
Common questions about Adrian Peterson — height, Super Bowls, teams, and stats.
Adrian Peterson is 6'1.












