Adrian Peterson, like many other NFL stars, dreams of becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer. The Minnesota Vikings running back, though, believes he could enter Canton, Ohio, without ever dressing in another NFL game.
Yes, you heard that correctly.
“I’m going to be blunt and honest with you,” Peterson told Star Tribune writer Mark Craig. “I feel like if I didn’t play another snap in my life, I got the opportunity to go in the Hall of Fame right now.”
The 30-year-old missed 15 regular-season games in 2014 after being indicted in Texas last September on felony child abuse charges, but he doesn’t believe that would play a major role in a potential Hall of Fame induction process.
“I don’t think it will have an impact on how I’m remembered because at the end of the day, it’s still the game of football; people looking at what you do on the field,” Peterson said. “I think more so the fans of Minnesota (will remember) because it’s your hometown team. But not to the extent that I think you think it will be. I don’t think it will be too damning.”
The 2012 NFL MVP maintains that winning a Super Bowl still is his top priority, but he wouldn’t mind breaking some records in the process.
“And reaching Emmitt Smith,” Peterson said. “Still reaching Emmitt.”
Peterson has amassed tremendous numbers over his eight-year career, but he still has a lot of work to do if he wants to catch Smith. Peterson ranks 28th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 10,190 yards, 8,165 behind leader Smith.
Thumbnail photo via Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports Images
