How Good Was Adrian Peterson Actually?

A career retrospective of one of the NFL's all-time greatest running backs, Adrian Peterson.
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[@jozefm.5780]

The fact that he came off that type of injury to win MVP the following year and rush for over 2000 yards is incredible. I used to love watching him tear up defences, an absolute beast. Shame he never won a ring.

[@WalterWhiteFootballSharing]

I put some 2012 Vikings games up on my channel. Epic sh_t. Thought Id never see a 2K season from a powerback ever again but; 2020 Derrick Henry happened. He had a pass game and QB, 8 YPA from Tannehil and the boys... A.P. had Christian ponder putrid 6.4 YPA. SO AP got 2K against defenses that ONLY had to watch him.

[@jacobwheeler2462]

And tear up his child

[@honestbuiltperformance1819]

@@jacobwheeler2462 yeah yeah wuit your bitchin my grandmother beat me with switches too, very common in the south

[@rien2474]

@@jacobwheeler2462 Corny asf

[@ethanb7444]

@@honestbuiltperformance1819 Doesn’t make it okay

[@ChiefKene]

I personally never seen a athlete like him. Dude blew out his knee and came back and ran for 2000k and mvp. That’s legendary

[@geraldmcgill7994]

Yeah I don’t know which is more impressive, what AP did coming back from devastating injury like that or being an Iron Man like Jim Brown who played 9 years without ever missing a game and being the best player in football.

[@danielduvall4154]

Barry Sanders

[@zee-fr5kw]

​@gr5382 eh depending on the team I would take different RB, the best running backs aren't significantly better then others. they aren't like QBs where better ones will make you win Superbowl's (both Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson didn't win rings) for example Philip Rivers, and tom brady where two great QBs, one was significantly better and would completely change the chances of getting a ring. having Adrian Peterson vs Barry Sanders wouldn't effect your chances of getting a ring.

[@bryceburgess3558]

Eric Dickerson enters chat

[@juwandodd7139]

LaDainian Tomlinson

[@stumason7003]

I don’t think his career was derailed by injuries, I think the injuries are a product of how good he was. He was a workhorse back for a team that for much of his career, didn’t have a quarterback, and in this era it is impossible to avoid injuries in that position. He was the whole offense. I would still pick him over any other running back though, he was incredible.

[@AntonioPotts-ef7ou]

I’m choosing AP All Day Every Day.

[@ForWilson490]

I tore my ACL playing HS football the year after AP tore his. Seeing him comeback in the fashion that he did, gave 16 year old me motivation and hope to hit rehab as hard as possible and make a strong comeback. 11 years later and my knee is strong as ever! Thanks AP!

[@SomeGuyFromOK]

It’s AD, not AP! It’s literally explained in the damn video!

[@DTB1995]

@@SomeGuyFromOK AD doesn't make any sense AP are his initials

[@LtBud26]

AD = All Day, AP = Adrian Peterson. Both are his nicknames, all these years later and people still being dumb

[@bavingates2502]

@@SomeGuyFromOK as a basketball fan AD is Anthony Davis Adrian will never be AD

[@ForWilson490]

@@SomeGuyFromOK if it was 2012, i'd call him All Day. But these days most people will recognize AP as his initials

[@curlybearington1734]

Dude was a horse collar tackle away from nearly 400 yards rushing in a single game. The best pure running back since Barry. Easy first ballot HoF.

[@laposyakin]

terrell davis was better. Look at playoff production.

[@VictusG]

@@laposyakin You are out of your mind if you think Terrel Davis was better than Adrian Peterson. Great no doubt, but not on Peterson’s level.

[@laposyakin]

@@VictusG Compare their playoff stats and let me know when AP wins SB MVP. If TD didn't get injured he would have been the best ever. He was AP on steroids.

[@laposyakin]

@@VictusG TD rushed for like 600 yards and 8 TD in one playoff run. Including 165 yards and 2 TD in the superbowl against the Packers defence with legend White leading the defence.

[@keithpeterson6108]

@Stupid Fucker Your name says all we need to know. AP>TD

[@frankthetank520]

He did the one thing people think is impossible today... He won the MVP as a running back

[@ImReverseGiraffe]

You mean it isn't a QB award?

[@Reecl.]

@@ImReverseGiraffe not a decade ago, now it is

[@KBarron43]

@@Reecl. you’re wrong. 5 Qbs won it before him & 9qbs have won it since then. It’s always been a QB award buddy.

[@pillmill8987]

2012 JJ Watt should have won.

[@KBarron43]

@@pillmill8987 he should have won it 2014 not 2012

[@kevinGvue]

The greatest running back to have ever worn the Vikings jersey. You will be missed AP! Thank you for all those fun years of giving us hope.

[@djhogan2119]

I always really appreciate you guys bringing up the early childhood and the emphasis on “finding an outlet” as a result of trauma. It gives a very important perspective that most fans don’t think of.

[@rolodwayne5841]

first ballot HoFer dude was an absolute beast

[@jamesjvis6823]

He won't be, too many voters will hold his discipline of his child against him. He will get in, but there will be enough that don't want him to have the title of first ballot HOFer.

[@ADollarMight]

@@jamesjvis6823 idk, i think he’ll make first ballot. he’s still like top 5 rbs of all time i think that would be a dumb reason not to get it

[@ADollarMight]

@@jamesjvis6823 Also if it’s true all he did was hit his child with a wooden switch that’s not child abuse. That’s just a form of discipline that black people do it’s never. really been regarded as bad but i see why people ran with it because he was a superstar

[@mackenzieblair8135]

@@ADollarMight he was criminally charged and the child showed physical evidence of the abuse that occurred. He pled no contest so the charge would be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

[@ADollarMight]

@@mackenzieblair8135 was it actually abuse or did he just hit the kid with a switch from time to time when he was acting up?

[@badtaste311]

Adrian Peterson will always be one of my top favorite professional football players. Literally one of the only athletes that I have watched the highlights of their career. He did use to have an issue with ball security but was able to be self aware and improve immeasurably. It is not the fall that defines oneself, but the ensuing rise that one imbues within themselves.

[@NordicThizzin69]

I think the fact that he won MVP as an RB is the most incredible achievement of his career. Lifelong Vikings fan here.

[@nickk2431]

A lot of backs win mvp. So what?

[@rylie34]

@@nickk2431 17 of the last 20 mvp where won by qb.

[@ButterSmooth88]

As a Bears fan, I have a deep appreciation for what this man could do on any given Sunday. He tore good Chicago defenses apart. One of the best linebacking cores of his generation in the North and he made them look like amateurs.

[@williamkoscielniak7871]

This.

[@trentongardner2106]

That rookie game against them is crazy. Thats one of the best defenses ever. That was the superbowl year for them I believe. I'm a colts fan, so I think that's our superbowl win. AP also cooked the legion of Boom. The dude could cook anyone at anytime though. One of 3 rbs imo that could pull that off.

[@hippocrips3023]

As a Packer fan he was my favorite RB ever since he came into the league. Dude was a beast. 6'2 220lbs and runs a 4.4. This dude literally carried that 2012 Vikings team to the playoffs

[@mattburow6018]

Our QB Christian Ponder couldn't throw the football. Peterson was 99.5% of the Offense and we had a solid D. Remember some games where Ponder would throw for like 30 yards... AP dished out 200 every game.

[@brett6314]

You aren't kidding. Pretty much just handed him the ball all year

[@FlexSZN23]

As a Minnesotan I miss AP so much. We didn’t always have the best teams but I knew every Sunday AP was gonna put on a show.

[@yoFACTOR]

Adrian Peterson is the best running back I’ve ever seen in my life and he’s the reason I played football from little leagues to high school. He’s truly the 🐐 in my eyes. His acceleration in college is unmatched even until this day for someone his size

[@PlaySA]

The most special thing about AP is his running style, it is unique. Speed, power, and incredible lateral agility making defenders look silly. He was still good even in his last seasons with various teams on low contracts.

[@CoasterKrazie]

He ran so viciously.

[@soonerborn7603]

*AD

[@5luelight726]

Literally the most complete back of all time skill wise

[@Gungho73]

I said it elsewhere, but his Redskins year in 2018 is probably too underrated. He became the engine for that team at a time people whispered if he was done as a contributor.

[@PaulWeezy50]

@@Gungho73 Exactly!! And the following year, Gruder's punk a$$ was the only reason he didn't hit 1k. Healthy scratched him 1st game, & the following 4 games he only gave him the ball 40 times. After he was fired, AD ate. Still avg 4.3 ypg at 33 years old

[@notflx]

My favorite RB of all time. Was an absolute beast to watch, the power & how he ran with a purpose was so entertaining.

[@johnwebb2442]

Respect for Adrian Peterson, one of the greatest NFL running backs of all time.

[@chrisrva710]

As a Washington fan it was truly an honor to have him suit up for us and ball. Him reaching his 100th rushing touchdown with us is something I won’t forget.

[@rickyrichreacts9667]

Him and Tomlinson are my favorite RB’s of all time‼️

[@D.ocument.The.Journey]

Top 3 running back of all time imo he was unstoppable in his prime.

[@steviechampagne]

he ran like a horse. i still haven’t seen a RB with the combination of POWER and SPEED that AD had. Nobody yet.

[@honestbuiltperformance1819]

@@steviechampagne MAYBE walter payton, but i definitely agree with your statement.

[@laposyakin]

he isnt even close to top 3 all time. Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, OJ Simpson, Marshall Faulk, Thurman Thomas, Emmitt Smith were all better, hell Chris Johnson was arguably better.

[@laposyakin]

@@honestbuiltperformance1819 I forgot Walter Peyton, throw him in as well. Fucking KZbin was glitching out lol

[@essential_listening]

@@steviechampagne I have a feeling we will be talking about Nick Chubb like this

[@wolfwolf8131]

As a lifelong OU fan and Minnesota fan. AP was absolutely fantastic to watch all those years. I know he’ll probably never see these words but WE the fans appreciate all that was left on the field each and every game.

[@badmiracle3560]

If no one says it... He is the greatest running back of all-time... 3 comebacks... SPEED and POWER

[@mikethebeginner]

I was just amazed when he came back after the torn ACL. I never would have believed it if I didn't see it. Always liked him.

[@BentleysShorts]

I love how Nknstop Sports makes us the greatest sports content ever

[@404people]

Didnt see anyone mention this but his first touchdown in his first game was a one handed catch on a swing route took it for 60 yards. An actual legend

[@TheWickedEnd84]

And, oddly enough, randy moss had a similar catch, where he tipped it to himself, for a touchdown, in his first game with the vikings

[@johnsonsjams3439]

I remember watching him when I was a kid and being absolutely blown away by his play style, it seemed like when he ran the game slowed down around him

[@Hustla614]

Too me of my generation of being born in 1989. This is the greatest running back I ever seen play football. Many can debate, and I'm not here to argue. If you combine brute strength with physical condition, speed and quickness and some agility. Adrian Peterson was the Terminator of football. The best RB I ever saw play.

[@wyattflud4599]

He was so good

[@brybry865]

Adrian Peterson still and will ever be my favorite football. He made the Minnesota Vikings my favorite team and he dead ass introduce me to football in 2008.

[@24Charles01]

I remember watching the 2012 season and hoping that he'd break the all time season record. So much fun to watch Peterson run.

[@jasonfarrell00]

As a Texas fan I was always worried when he touched the ball…then he got to the pros and was already a big fan of his…and got even more worried when he touched the ball fearing injuries… But this man is resilient if anything. I stopped paying attention to football for a long time but seeing that he kept playing til only a few years ago makes me really happy. Truly an all time great 💪

[@jonathanmodisette6997]

I watched him play in Palestine. I'll never forget, my buddy told me there's a kid running 300 yards a game so we went to watch. I knew immediately I was watching a future HOFr. AD was a monster.

[@face77776]

ill never forget AP trucking william gay and letting out a primal scream afterwards. dude is a monster

[@chrisreichert8659]

Was looking for this comment:)

[@GoHmble]

This man was the GOAT

[@kurtwagner350]

His 2012 season is such an incredible feat

[@cindyholt3808]

AD was awesome at OU! I loved watching him. Haven't seen much of his pro career. He had a rough growing up, I only wish him the best!

[@CodeineAbdulJabbar]

I had the chance to meet Adrian Peterson at the bar I work at a couple weeks ago just by chance it was mind blowing seeing a Hall of Famer in person.

[@SnakeEaterGaming]

Still pains me to see my saints couldn’t figure out how to use him effectively. Glad he was able to be moved to a team that knows how to use him.

[@AfricanusKing]

Got to be happy he fumbled twice in the nfc championship for us though.

[@SnakeEaterGaming]

@@AfricanusKing hell yeah.

[@NonnyStrikes]

Never knew about AP's bro. Damn. It all makes sense now. How he was so determined and aggressive in running. He and Barry hold the top spots in my book. Dickerson is just a record holder. Watching AP run and Barry run... it was mesmerizing.

[@559_Jxck]

I feel like Adrian Peeterson is like Derrick Rose, he is a person everybody loves. I think he will definitely be a hall of famer. Btw Non-stop sports da GOAT.

[@dylanszafryk8702]

Beats his kids with a switch so not everybody

[@559_Jxck]

True

[@559_Jxck]

That is a good point.

[@johnnyortiz4350]

Adrian Peterson in his peak is debatable for best running back of all-time!!

[@mrcampo19]

I watched him as a rookie running down the field with like 3 dudes on his back. It was unreal. Definitely one of the best backs I've ever seen

[@15jtbball]

Crazy thing is, a lot of those teams had no pass game so everyone just stacked the box and he STILL put up those numbers.

[@daniels4227]

He was the best back I've ever watched play. EVER.

[@roastedtoast9337]

As a canadian i was blessed with a choice of choosing my favourite nfl team without bias, when i started watching football at the age of nine my choice was made for me watching Adrian peterson torch teams as a 3rd year back. Thank you for all youve done for the vikings and giving us an opportunity to cheer for your greatness.

[@KrosstownLandLord]

One of the only players I think could’ve went straight from high school to the NFL

[@haroldfarquad6886]

Yep, him and Jadaveon Clowney are the only names that spring to mind quickly. Maybe someone like Suh, and maybe Leonard Fournette.

[@ashtheviking5007]

It's a stretch but I get what you're sayin. If any player could it would be him and Julius Peppers.

[@ashtheviking5007]

@@haroldfarquad6886 Clowney wasn't good enough to play in the NFL after college let alone HS. 🤗

[@wbrito1830]

Best running back I've ever seen in my lifetime

[@porterporter]

I loved watching AP. As someone who suffers from migraines as well, watching that guy have to miss, or play while he had em, was inspiring.

[@ZeWhiteRabbit8]

make one about Brian Dawkins, The Wolverine

[@johnmatthew8710]

I'll remember Dawkins most for being a dirty headhunting player.

[@sexgod57able]

He was the best! Pure AWESOMENESS!!! Won me 2 Fantasy Championships!!! That come back from ACL tear is just ridiculously awesome!!!

[@TommyV440]

Most underrated running back of all time! Top 5!

[@typg9397]

AP and Barry are my co-GOATs. Absolute monsters. They might not have had the objective best RB careers, but every time they suited up there was no doubt they were the best player on the field.

[@haroldfarquad6886]

I feel the same. People can get hung up on total career stats all they want, but the question that really matters is who would you choose to be your all-time RB if you were building a team. Barry and AP should two of your top 3-4 candidates.

[@bradywright3274]

AD will forever be top 5 running back all time, and my personal GOAT at the position

[@brianward308]

my brother got to meet him. he said that whenever he shook your hand, he would squeeze it as hard as possible lmao

[@rodrickrichard4877]

That's how you supposed to shakes someone's hand!!!

[@yaboifasho]

Lol your bro needs to beef up if that’s what he took from that🤣

[@brianward308]

@@yaboifasho hahah maybe, but adrian was known for that apparently. he said he tried to break your hand from squeezing it 😭

[@nickshearer3091]

My favorite back! Absolute monster straight dawg!!

[@shawnlewis1356]

I will always think amazing things of Adrian Peterson. As a kid we were spanked with switches ...belts. and sometimes it leave a mark.. today's standards of child abuse is just different than what we were brought up with.. back in our days that was normal .. today is different .. and our grand parents saw even worse. Now a days it's time out.. and it doesn't work. Adrian is a great athlete and should never be thought or tainted with child abuse. He is one of the goats for the nfl

[@jeffh9591]

Its hard to say where he stands as far as the best RBs, but I'm in my mid-30s and hes the most impressive RB I've seen.

[@steviechampagne]

yeah he was so dominant that it’s hard to think he’ll ever be forgotten. Anyone who watched him run in his prime can agree, this dude was born to run the football. A top 7 RB of all time in my opinion

[@CrankyDumpling]

Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson are the greatest RBs I have ever watched in my lifetime...I've been a colts fan ever since faulk joined the league and I've never seen any RBs better than these two

[@stevepowell6503]

Dickerson was pretty great, too.

[@CSDonohue11]

So Happy For Him that Adrian overcame everything that ever tried to stop Him or set Him back . A True Living Legend AD AP

[@markdorsey5150]

Ill never forget that San Diego game his rookie year, I couldn't believe what was happening

[@joshnez1648]

Grew up watching AP 🔥🔥All time favorite RB 💯

[@daxpeach5109]

I looked up to AP and he will always be my most beloved RB

[@dabadc]

Had the pleasure of watching AP play live in two college games (vs my MIZZOU Tigers😩and against Colorado in the Big XII title game). He was a man among boys...as a FRESHMAN! Video does no justice to how unfair this dude was! He was rolling up future 1st round picks as a teenager! If it were allowed, he coulda played in the NFL right out of high school. He would have had a steeper learning curve, but he was ready in terms of athletics, and the raw instincts to know when to break ankles, and when to break necks!

[@jayNicks10]

He was a rare talent, had all of the tools. The high combo of speed AND power. He could single handedly take over an entire game.

[@johnsharp5350]

The best of a generation.

[@morpheus587]

The power, the speed, the will to fight for every yard... there will never be another RB like the Great AP! Also... imagine having Christian Ponder as your QB with 8 men in the box and still putting up huge numbers every game! For that reason All Day is the GOAT!

[@musafawundu6718]

I am Vikings fan and a big Adrian Peterson fan... It is sad to have seen a legend fade away as he has... But the memories and the highlights, especially, remain...

[@liberphilosophus7481]

My favorite player from the 2000's. Unstoppable and fun to watch.

[@JadedJet]

One of the best I've ever seen do it in 30 years of watching NFL

[@BeauTylerMakesMusic]

As an OU fan I am such a fan of AD. I was at the Boise state game, which was his final college game ever. Because of Boise’s heroics at the end it’s forgotten what he did on the overtime possession right before that. I thought I’d witnessed the greatest end to a college career ever. Then… we’ll we know what happened next. I don’t want to talk about it lol. Either way. We knew he was different and he proved it every game.

[@velocityaimer8204]

Adrian Peterson is my all time favorite running back I love everything about him he was literally my idol watched his highlights before football games

[@kaalen24]

Man had a long career and NEVER shied away from contact. He charged into and through guys. Just incredible talent and strength especially considering what he had to go through.

[@mitchconner2021]

His lifting stories from when he was a freshman at OU are insane. Dude was a 18 year old freshman putting up the same weight as D and O lineman that have been in the program 3 or 4 years.

[@raamyasharahla535]

Country East Texas Boys. 😉

[@Phillyboi215]

My FAVORITE RB of all time. I remember always being so excited to watch him run, I would b like “Adrian….PERTERSON!” Lmao

[@paulellington1505]

Peterson was a beast of a back. For years he was the Vikings offense. If he had a good quarterback for at least half of his career Minnesota would have probably gotten 1 or 2 championships.

[@caramanico1]

Absolutely loved watching this guy run (especially when he came to DC). My phrase was that he was "the most violent runner" I had ever seen.

[@Cfullerrrr]

AD was unreal at his best.

[@ExtraterrestrialBeing-jc7to]

Bro A.P. Played until he was 50 Bro was a Whole Monster 💯💯

[@haroldfarquad6886]

Peterson may be the last of the truly great thoroughbreds at the RB position. The game has changed and most athletes of his build and athleticism are playing off the edge on defense these days. He is easily in the top 5 best backs to ever play.

[@ricky895]

My favorite running back of all time easily

[@901champcity4]

The best he was the reason I wanted to play. Even though my football life didn't turn out good. It still was great growing up watching him. He was amazing to watch. I had cancer so me playing football never was gonna end well.

[@curtismassarella4070]

Adrian Peterson was the most unbelievable player I ever watched in his prime. I bought the nfl Sunday ticket for years just for him. He was incredible.

[@travishendrix7026]

He came out of Texas . We loved the guy. Even though he became a Sooner. Great back. He had a great career. HOF, hes in there.

[@Maxharddrive64]

Warhammer, battering ram with speed, strength,vision,toughness and Agility As a Detroit Lions fan, We got to see him two times a year. You could game plan for him all week and it really didn't matter if you put 22 guys on defense.He was gonna get his yards. He was a rampaging beast type back that rarely went down with one hit. Watch the vids. Even when they blitzed or gang tackled he'd rarely not gain yards

[@TitletownXLV13]

I remember one year it was wildcard weekend, Pack and the Vikings. Late in the game, it was 3rd and 11 and they ran the ball with AP and he actually picked up the first down! 😮 (Christian Ponder was the qb)

[@MuckNoya]

AP and LT were the two best RB’s I’ve witnessed til this day. I’m a 90’s baby btw

[@Mazininthe9]

As someone who grew up watchin him since OU he’s the goat for me. LT next

[@segaszivos]

LT and AP are the best RBs that I saw play. Competitors. There's no stopping them.

[@lastridge]

Fantastic video!

[@MikeOutstandin]

My top 5 favorite RB. This man was a DAWG!!!!!!

[@Hock42094]

He’s in my top 5 running backs all time

[@billhillgoat_5905]

I miss seeing him play. Just watching him in his prime running people over like they were jv players lol

[@itsaccer7443]

He’s the greatest pure runner of all time. Put up mind boggling numbers in the modern nfl and he will likely be the last RB to win an mvp

[@iamsaiyan2532]

Best running back of my lifetime, Him and LT

[@youngnick1800]

One of the best running backs Oklahoma ever seen come through that school

[@Patrick-bt2kr]

Forever my favorite player

[@dtowndtown9232]

And people thought all those set backs would hold him back, one thing that made AP so special was his mentality, he was able to bounce back from situations that any other normal person would deem challenging to overcome from

[@chrisgough06]

Best running back i ever seen 2nd LT wish i was old enough to see Jim play 😅

[@austinlevi3452]

I’ve never seen a running back be as athletic as AP while also Being as violent as AP. Man dominated physically

[@1986Mrmatrix]

Wow amazing video GO AP💪💪💪💪💯

[@smfh_]

My favorite player ❤ love all day made me love the game