There are reasons to question former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's off-the-field behavior, but when he was carrying the ball on the field, there were few in the NFL who have ever done it better.
Peterson is fifth all-time in career rushing yards with 14,918. He also holds the record for rushing yards in a single game at 296. On top of all that, he is the most recent running back to be named NFL MVP.
This article could continue with his accolades and achievements in football, but it is important to remember that players like Adrian Peterson have a legacy that they leave behind, and that legacy can turn them into a legend.
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson should not have been left off a recent NFL list.
ESPN recently compiled an article with the NFL All Quarter Century Team. That roster includes the best players at each position who played in the league over the last 25 years. Some of the greatest to ever play the game were included, but not former Minnesota Vikings rusher Adrian Peterson.
The team is said to be mostly put together based on statistics and formulas, but seeing the math would be interesting to know how Peterson didn't make the cut.
"These decisions were made mostly on statistical output, focusing on peak seasons while still rewarding longevity. We relied heavily on FTN's DYAR metric (defense-adjusted yards above replacement), which calculates a player's value over the course of the season compared to a replacement-level baseline. Other advanced statistics were also taken into account."
Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder - ESPN
Three running backs were chosen for the Quarter Century Team, and they are all excellent running backs. There is no denying that Priest Holmes, Christian McCaffrey, and Derrick Henry are all amazing players, but there is definitely an argument to replace one of them with Adrian Peterson.
You can argue that other running backs are more complete players or had longer careers than Peterson, but the impact he had on the Vikings and the league makes it difficult to tell the story of the NFL without him.
To make matters worse, another legendary running back was named as their "practice squad" running back. The fact that neither Adrian Peterson nor LaDainian Tomlinson made ESPN's Quarter Century Team is baffling and should anger Minnesota Vikings fans as well as football fans in general.
