Adrian Peterson

July 24, 2014

I am Adrian Peterson, Pro Running back and Wheaties Cover Athlete

Thanks for all of the questions today. I have to report for camp and we are looking forward to a great season. Thanks to all of my fans for your continue support. God Bless



Hi Adrian!

A few years ago, I remember watching the game where you came 9 yards short of beating the single season record for rushing yards, all because you guys had to kick a field goal. Do you regret not having the opportunity to break the record?

The team won the game and went to the playoffs. Team first


How do you feel about using this as the new Wheaties box cover?

http://i.imgur.com/G4fEicG.png

Wheaties is the best and thanks for the suggestion


He responded. I am forgiven!

No reason to be forgiven, but I prefer not to be called Purple Jesus


AD, I recently read an article which states that the running game is likely to make a comeback to respond to dominant pass defenses like Seattle's.

Do you think there's any truth to that? How do you think the running game will be affected by something like this?

Thanks for doing an AMA!!

The running game is always going to be apart of the NFL. Run n shoot was in vogue at one time..the wild cat was in vogue...offenses will evolve and change over time


Hey Adrian! Although I'm a Packer fan, I rooted for you even through that last game last year against us to get the record, thanks for doing this AMA. How is working with Teddy Bridgewater?

We are excited about all three of our quaterbacks and Norv turner. We are looking forward to a great season. Thanks for your support and I am sure Green Bay will not let you back there now


Thanks for your support and I am sure Green Bay will not let you back there now

Honestly, if you read /r/GreenBayPackers, you'll see most of the commenters have a lot of respect and support for you as a player. If we're talking about stuff that tips the balance from a GB W to a L or something that ends our playoff hopes, then yeah we'll root against you.

Appreciate the support. It is always fun playing against the Packers.


What was it like to play with Brett Favre, and how did it impact you as a player?

Brett was a great quarterback in the NFL and he did great things for us when he played for our team. I hear he is doing great things as a coach down there in Mississippi.


I think Bridgewater was a great pick for you guys. How you think he's gonna adjust to football at the NFL level?

Every rookie has an adjustment period. Teddy will learn a lot this year


What do you like most about your fellow teammates?

We all have the same goal: to win a championship

There is a brotherhood with all of my fellow nfl players


Thanks for doing this ama. Good luck with the rest of your career, I can't wait to see it all.

My question is, of all the failed attempts to bring you down in your career so far, are there any that stick out in your mind?

Shaun Rodgers...


Why does Minnesota win the division this year?

Every team believes it will win it division. You have to have the mindset that you will succeed in whatever you do in life


Hey AD.
What were your favorite TV shows as a kid?

Good Times


Hey AD, can we be best friends?

I thought we already were


Hey Adrian.

On an opposing defence, who talks the most trash?

Bonus points if you trucked them.

Most of the players do not talk trash to me


How do you feel about Sydney Sidney Rice's early retirement?

Did he contact you while he was making his decision?

Good luck this year! (Except against the Dolphins)

Sidney is one of my best friends and I wish him the best.


If I get the first overall pick in my fantasy league this year, tell me why I should pick AP?

Do you want to win?


He's right, I had him last year and I won my league.

Congrats. Smart pick


Are you gonna date my ex-girlfriend and ultimately cause me to not play you in the championship and cause my demise?

Guess you watched the League, great episode


What's up AD! First of all as a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan, I wanna thank you for the hard work you put in every year for our team, and gotta say it's an honor watching you play in purple on Sunday.

Now, for my question: What is your favorite highlight/play you've made during your time with the Vikes so far?

My favorite highlight is when the clock strikes zero and we have more points


Hello Mr. Peterson. I attended the game at Wembley stadium last year and wanted to ask you how you experienced this event. Furthermore, do you personally think there will soon (< 10 years) be an NFL team based in London? And what is the impact of the trips to and from the UK on the players (due to jet lag etc.)?

I loved visiting London and it was a great experience with the fans. I do not know if and when there will be a team in London, but it was great spending time ther


Hey Adrian,

Do you have any nicknames that most people probably don't know about? And can you give me one?

Pretty much everyone just calls me AD


Hi AD!!! Congrats on the wedding! I just wanted to say that I think you are phenomenal on the field an off the field. You are truly an inspiration. If you would entertain my questions, I'd be so pleased! Plus, it's my birthday.

  1. What's currently in your pockets?

  2. What's your favorite non-football related memory from your time in Norman, or at OU?

  3. What has been the seemingly least "insignificant" moment that ended up played a major role in your life?

EDIT: Ugh! How could I forget?! BOOMER!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Favorite memory in Norman is just being around the fans and just the people in Norman. Every one was so friendly and supportive of the team


What was your backup plan if you didn't make the NFL?

If you saw me swing the bat against Jennie Finch then clearly it was baseball


What do you normally eat before a game?

I love eating Wheaties..


Wow, since Adrian Peterson mentioned Wheaties again, I am going to buy myself a box! In fact, I will tell all my friends and they will buy some too.

I am even going to invest in their company!

wink wink I got your back AD ;)

that is funny


Hey AD,

I'm a huge fan! Thanks so much for doing an AMA.

Questions:

Who is one defender you would prefer to avoid because he either hits hard or is very adept at tackling?

Also, have you planned to change your game at all playing outside in TCF?

You can never fear anyone


Do you get new shoes for every game? or do you usually keep the same pair for an entire season?

I like to use new nike shoes for each game


Hey Adrian thanks for doing this. How's the knee? Are you feeling 2500 this season?

It is absolutely horrible...thanks for asking

Just joking...I feel great and the goal is to win a super bowl.....and if 2500 comes with it, then great..


Hey Adrian, glad to have you along again before the season starts. It really means a ton to the many Vikings fans here on Reddit. Anyways, here are a few questions I have:

Thanks for your time Adrian! We all appreciate it.

We are excited as an organization and we are excited about Coach Zim and the rest of the coaching staff. He has been a very successful coach and we are excited to have him here with us


Hey Adrian, glad to have you along again before the season starts. It really means a ton to the many Vikings fans here on Reddit. Anyways, here are a few questions I have:

Thanks for your time Adrian! We all appreciate it.

I have not played against Teddy. It will be an adjustment playing in the cold for our home games, but we already play in Green Bay so there will not be much difference


Biggest impact, outside of AD, is definitely going to be The Flash (Cordarrelle Patterson)!

We are going to have a lot of weapons on our team. the scary thing is CP is going to be even better this year.


Mr. Peterson, first of all, I am a HUGE fan. You have been my keeper for several years in FF (thanks for helping me whoop the boys in getting the trophy! =] ) So thank you for doing this AMA!

I am a 26 year old female struggling to get to where I want to be in life. My goals feel like a mere star in the untouchable sky, honestly. You have succeeded in the most amazing ways, personal and career. My question to you is, what is the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you that helped you keep striving?

My parents have always pushed me to do the very best I can in life. We had difficult times growing up, but we always had love in my life. I owe everything to my parents for always sacrificing for us


do you like anything special in your Wheaties?

try it with chocolate milk


What's your opinion on fantasy football? I know a lot of NFL guys hate it.

It creates more interest in the NFL


Hey Adrian! I just went through acl/mcl surgery last Thursday, any words of advice for when I start rehab?

Treat everyday as a challenge to get better. Never give up..there will be good and bad days, but continue to work hard and believe in yourself


What's the worst thing about being a professional athlete?

We are blessed to be able to play professional football


Hey AD! I have one question for you. Do you feel that you are a better running back than LeSean McCoy? I only ask because recently he has been saying he is the best RB in the NFL. Skol!

My mind set is to be the best player in the NFL, not just the best running back


Hey AD! Did you get the reference to the orange peanut when the person asked you to sign it or did you just think that they were another crazy fan?

I was excited that he did not hit me with it


How do you feel about the nickname "Purple Jesus"?

I prefer not to be called Purple Jesus


What is the loudest crowd you played against? It can be college or NFL.

The dome stadiums tend to be the loudest...seattle was really loud


Hi Adrian, thanks so much for doing this. if you had to sum up your entire football career thus far with one moment or memory, what would it be?

Sum it up: much left to accomplish


Hey Adrian, big OU fan so I have been enjoying your football skills for a while now. My question is, if you didn't play football what sport would you love to play and why?

Definitely track. I always wanted to run the 4x100 in the Olympics


what are your plans for after the NFL?

Will just sit back and just continue to enjoy life. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to play in the NFL


Adrian, as a Packers fan I both loathe you and love you at the same time. Thanks for doing the AMA. When you came back from your knee injury, did you imagine yourself coming back as quickly and furiously as you did?

Thanks for the support..I think....

My mindset was to come back and be an even better football player. I never doubted that I would come back better even though others said I would never be the same


I'm guessing Aloe Blacc's 'The Man'.

Great answer...that is a good song


Adrian, what is the first difference you noticed between this years coaching staff and last years?

SKOL Vikings! Can't wait to watch you man.

There really isn't a reason to compare the coaching staffs. We enjoyed playing for Coach Frazier and we are enjoying playing for Coach Zimmer. The reality is that we are excited about the new coaching staff and sometimes change is good. We are going to continue to work hard as players and listen to the coaches. Coach Zimmer and his staff are bringing a new philosophy to the team and the players are buying into it.


Sup AD
If you played defense, which position would you want to play?

maybe a cb or safety


[No question]

Any more questions? We have 10 minutes left


This interview was transcribed from an "ask me anything" question and answer session with Adrian Peterson conducted on Reddit on 2014-07-24. The Reddit AMA can be found here.