Adrian N. Peterson

Infobox NFLactive


name=Adrian N. Peterson
currentteam=Chicago Bears
currentnumber=29
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|7|1
birthplace=Gainesville, Florida
heightft=5
heightin=10
weight=210
debutyear=2002
debutteam=Chicago Bears
highlights=
* Walter Payton Award (1999)
* Several NCAA Division I-AA Records [cite web |url=http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book/2006/2006_d1_football_records_book.pdf |title=2006 Division I-A/I-AA Football Records Book |format=PDF - NCAA ]
* Most Rushing Attempts in One Half (NFL)
college=Georgia Southern
draftyear=2002
draftround=6
draftpick=199
pastteams=
* Chicago Bears (2002-present)
nfl=PET263012

Adrian Nicholas Petersoncite news |author=Earnest Reese |title= 'I'll be back'; Georgia Southern phenomenal fullback Peterson in no hurry to jump to NFL |work=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution |page=1F |date=2000-12-14] (born July 1, 1979 in Gainesville, Florida) is an American football player. He is currently a running back and specialist for the Chicago Bears. He is an alumnus of Georgia Southern University, where he set numerous school, conference, and NCAA Division I-AA records.cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player66.html |title=Roster - Chicago Bears - 29 Adrian Peterson |work=chicagobears.com |accessdate=2007-08-13]

Early years

Born to Porter R. and Reatha M. Peterson, his father works at the plant that makes Energizer batteries. [cite news |author=Mark Woods |title=Zook deserves credit for every Peterson tackle |url=http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031403/spw_11998558.shtml |work=The Florida Times-Union |date=2003-03-14] Adrian Peterson was a two-time all-state, all-area selection and team MVP at Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida where he rushed for 4,949 yards during his prep career to earn All-America honors from ESPN and Blue Chip Illustrated. Peterson ran for 1,526 yards and 17 TDs on 185 carries (8.2 avg.) to earn Florida Class 4A Player-of-the-Year honors as a senior. He also lettered four times in track and two times each in weightlifting and basketball while in high school.

College career

From 1998-2001, Peterson played for Georgia Southern University, one of the most successful NCAA Division I-AA football programs in the country. He finished his career with 6,559 rushing yards, a Division I football record, and won the Walter Payton Award in 1999. He was the first sophomore to win the award for most outstanding player in I-AA football. Peterson finished among the top three vote-getters for the Walter Payton Award in all four of his college football seasons.

"The Run"

Peterson is well known for a particular play known to some as "The Run", in which he broke numerous tackles and even threw one defender to the ground during a 58 yard rushing play. "The Run" took place during the 1999 NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship game versus Youngstown State University in which Georgia Southern won 59-24.

NFL career

The Chicago Bears selected Peterson in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. During his first season as a Bear, he rushed for 101 yards on nineteen attempts, and scored a single touchdown. He missed most the next season after sustaining an ankle injury. Since then, he has seen a rather limited role. The team has primarily relied on Peterson as a specialist. In 2004, he led the Bears' special teams unit with 28 tackles.

Peterson saw more action as a running back during the 2005 Chicago Bears season, after the Bears' top two running backs, Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, suffered injuries. Peterson rushed for 391 yards on 76 attempts, and scored two touchdowns. Peterson was the team's second leading rusher during the season, and even went on to score a touchdown during the NFC Divisional game against the Carolina Panthers.

During the 2006 Chicago Bears season, Peterson returned to his role as a specialist and third string running back. He received occasional playtime as running back, but played a versatile role on the Bears' special teams. During the team's season finale, Peterson caught a 37-yard pass from Brad Maynard on a fake punt. [cite news |author=Andrew Seligman |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=ArWFO_gUNLeJylgP0_VHzhD.uLYF?gid=20061231003 |title=Green Bay 26, Chicago 7 |date=2007-01-01] In the NFC Championship game, Peterson tackled Michael Lewis and forced a fumble. [cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay/NFL_20070121_NO@CHI |title=NFL Scores: 2007 - Week 15 |work=nfl.com]

After the Bears traded Jones prior to the 2007 season, Peterson was promoted to second string running back. [cite news |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ChalkTalkStory.asp?story_id=3580 |title=Is Peterson the most underrated Bears player? |author=Larry Mayer |work=chicagobears.com |date=2007-07-09] . However, first string running back Cedric Benson sustained a season-ending injury on November 25, against the Denver Broncos. [cite news |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4127 |title=Benson to miss rest of season with ankle injury |author=Larry Mayer |date=2007-11-26 |work=chicagobears.com] During the same game, Peterson scored his second rushing touchdown of the season, when he powered into the endzone despite being enveloped by several Bronco defenders. With this news, Peterson has been moved to first string, with rookie Garrett Wolfe moved to second string. Peterson had his first 100-yard rushing game on December 23, 2007 against the Green Bay Packers [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=ArGc8vslWF8bHeUj8hVkaslDubYF?gid=20071223003 Favre struggles, Packers see hopes of No. 1 seed wiped out with 35-7 loss to Bears - NFL - Yahoo! Sports ] ] . Peterson had another productive performance the next week, during the Bears’ season finale against the New Orleans Saints. He rushed for 91 yards, and even threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore;_ylt=AlsOwSIjnzupJC8d96aM5qoisLYF?gid=20071230003 NFL - New Orleans Saints/Chicago Bears Box Score Sunday December 30, 2007 - Yahoo! Sports ] ] .

Personal

He is the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson. He is also related to Freddie Solomon, who played for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers. He performs community work in his spare time, and hosts an annual free youth football camp. [cite web |url=http://www.buzznews.net/Peterson.php |title=Bearing Down with Bears Running Back Adrian Peterson |author=Ken Payne |work=Buzz S&E] Additionally, Peterson, who has a speech impediment, volunteers his spare time to help children who also have the same problem. [cite web |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=community&id=3746820 |title=Bears player talks about speech impediment |work=abc7chicago.com |date=2006-01-01]

References

External links

* [http://www.nfl.com/players/adrianpeterson/profile?id=PET263012 Adrian Peterson] - at NFL.com