Tom Brady has been praised, justifiably so, for his longevity. That’s what happens you’re a 43-year-old starting quarterback in the Super Bowl.
But Adrian Peterson’s longevity is seemingly just as impressive, if not more impressive. Peterson, who turns 36 in March, has played 14 NFL seasons at running back – and he intends to play a 15th.
Does he get the credit he deserves for this?
“Somewhat, but not really, and to be honest with you, I don’t really care. It doesn’t bother me,” Peterson told JR SportBrief. “But I feel like enough people respect it, though they’re kind of just waiting [to see] if this is going to be [my] last year. People ask me all the time, ‘Are you retiring?’ I’m like, ‘No, bro, I still can play at a high level, so I’m going to continue to go.’”
Peterson has played for the Vikings (2007-16), Saints (2017), Cardinals (2017), Washington (2018-19) and Lions (2020). He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro and in 2012 was NFL MVP.
He ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards behind Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Frank Gore and Barry Sanders.
“[It] doesn’t bother me,” Peterson said of not getting praised for his longevity. “Just being able to kind of write my own chapter of how things is going to continue for me, for my football career and when I retire, that’s kind of what matters to me the most.”