Adrian Lewis Peterson^[1] (born March 21, 1985), "A. D." (for "All Day"), "Purple Jesus",^[6] and "MVPeterson'" is anAmerican football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).^[7] Peterson was selected by the Vikings with the seventh overall pick in the2007 NFL Draft.

Peterson played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards as a true freshman during the 2004 season. As a unanimous first-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophyballoting, behind USC quarterback Matt Leinart. Peterson finished his college football career as the Sooners' third all-time leading rusher.^[8]