Adrian Peterson is an American NFL football player who has achieved professional status. He started his journey into the world of football while attending Oklahoma University. He made history as the first freshman in second place for the Heisman Trophy.
Adrian Peterson Profile Details
Full name: Adrian Lewis Peterson
Age: 39 years old (2024)
Date of birth: 21 March, 1985
Nationality: American
Mother’s Name: Bonita Jackson
Father’s name: Nelson Peterson
Profession: Professional American Football
Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight: 98 kg
Education: University of Oklahoma
Relationship status: Married
Early Life
Adrian Peterson was born on March 21, 1985, in Palestine, Texas. His childhood was greatly affected by trauma and loss, as his older brother was killed by a drunk driver when he was only 7 years old and his father was imprisoned for drug trafficking when he was just 13.
Despite the circumstances, Peterson found solace in football. He thrived as a player at Palestine High School, achieving over 2,000 rushing yards in both his junior and senior years.
He was also a standout track athlete, earning numerous state championships. His incredible speed on the field was unmatched, and this talent carried over into his professional career, making him a one-of-a-kind player.
Despite receiving scholarships from other prestigious institutions, Peterson ultimately chose to attend Oklahoma. Upon joining the team, he made an immediate impact and contributed to the success of the Oklahoma Sooners.
In his freshman year, he rushed for more than 1,900 yards and broke the school’s record. Due to his impressive performance, he was recognized as a consensus All-American and came in second for the Heisman Trophy while playing for the Sooners.
After his first 2 seasons at Oklahoma, Peterson had accumulated more than 1,000 rushing yards and was also named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2006.
In 2007, Adrian Peterson made the choice to leave his last year of college and join the NFL Draft. When he joined the league, he was likened to iconic players like Eric Dickerson and Gale Sayers.
NFL Career
The Vikings made Peterson their 7th overall pick in the NFL draft, and their decision proved worthy. In his first year as a rookie, Adrian impressed by rushing for 1,341 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns.
He was recognized as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Additionally, he broke the NFL record for most yards in a single game, achieving 296 yards while playing against the San Diego Chargers.
Since then, Adrian has consistently showcased his exceptional rushing abilities and remains one of the top performers in the NFL.
Despite struggling with fumbles at the start of his career, he only fumbled once in the 2010 season. Additionally, he has been chosen for the NFL Pro Bowl every year he has completed a full season in the league.
After recovering from a severe injury, Adrian Peterson made a comeback in 2012 and ran for 2,097 yards. He fell short of breaking the all-time record by only nine yards. As a result, he was honored with the title of 2012 NFL MVP.
In 2016, he began the season with a knee injury and had to have surgery to fix a torn meniscus. Despite this setback, he was able to join the active roster and had six carries during the game against the Indianapolis Colts. However, due to his injury, he was released from the Vikings and became a free agent in early 2017.
On April 25th, 2017, he was promptly recruited by the New Orleans Saints for a two-year deal worth 7 million dollars and a signing bonus of 2.5 million dollars.
Wife & Kids
Adrian Peterson is married to Ashley Brown. The pair has two offspring named Adrian Peterson Jr. and Axyl Eugene Peterson. Peterson has a past with several other women, resulting in six additional children from six different mothers.
Ashley was a constant source of support for Adrian throughout his professional journey. She stood by him during his suspension in 2014 and his ACL injury in 2012. Additionally, she bravely shared her own experience with domestic violence in past relationships and actively advocates for its prevention.
Net Worth
Adrian Peterson’s present wealth is valued at $1 million, which comprises his income from playing football, sponsorships, and business ventures. Throughout his NFL career, Peterson earned over $100 million.
He was also sponsored by Nike, Gatorade, and EA Sports. In addition, Peterson manages the Adrian Peterson Foundation, which supports underprivileged children.
