Star NFL running back who was named 2012 NFL MVP after a historic season where he helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC playoffs. He compiled over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first seven years with the team. After his time in Minnesota, he went on to play for the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals.
He rushed for just under 3,000 yards as a high school senior in 252 carries, and rushed for 1,925 yards as a freshmen at the University of Oklahoma. He was drafted 7th overall by the Vikings in 2007.
He and Brett Favre took the Vikings to the NFC Championship game in 2010, but they were defeated in overtime by the eventual Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints.
His mother was a long jumper and sprinter who won 3 Texas state championships at Westwood High School. Peterson has a number of children. One of which - whom he never met - died after being assaulted by his mother's boyfriend at the age of two in 2013. Peterson was suspended by the NFL after being indicted for child abuse on his son Tyrese in 2014.
Many have compared his tough and physical running style to that of NFL legend Walter Payton.
