adrian peterson Mug

Born March 21, 1985 in Palestine, Texas Adrian is a professional American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played in college for the University of Oklahoma. During his freshman season, Peterson broke many NCAA freshman rushing records and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing second to USC quarterback Matt Leinart, the highest finish ever for a freshman. Peterson comes from a very athletic family. His mother was a collegiate track athlete, while his father signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Oklahoma. Personal troubles derailed his father's enrollment at Oklahoma, however, and he ended up playing for the University of Southern Idaho, and later serving time in prison. He was released from prison during the 2006 season, but was precluded from attending any Oklahoma's football games until his release from a half-way house in Oklahoma City. Peterson's father was able to watch his son from the stands for the first time on October 14, 2006. Oklahoma beat Iowa State University in that game, but Adrian broke his collar bone diving into the end zone to end a 53-yard touchdown run. During a press conference on October 18, Peterson said he was told by doctors to expect to be out for four to six weeks. He was unable to return for the rest of the Sooners regular season, but he was cleared to play in the Big 12 Championship Game. However, he and the coaching staff felt it would be safer to hold him out for one more game. He returned for the Sooners' last game against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl where he rushed for 77 yards. He refused to discuss his plans beyond the end of this season with the press. At the time of the injury, Peterson had only 151 yards to gain to pass Billy Sims as the University of Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher. Peterson finished 74 yards short of that mark after the Fiesta Bowl. Peterson is 6'2" about 225 pounds, with his 40 yard dash time reported at 4.38 by Sports Illustrated. On January 15, 2007, Peterson declared that he would forgo his senior year of college and enter the 2007 NFL Draft where it was predicted by many that he would be a top 5 draft choice. On April 28, 2007, Peterson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 7th overall pick. He will wear jersey number 28. Since being drafted by the Vikings, it had been speculated that Peterson would have to undergo surgery to heal the collar bone injury suffered during college, but it was revealed on May 16, 2007 that he will not have to have surgery.