Adrian Peterson Claims MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Honors

Many players suffer injuries like the one Adrian Peterson suffered on December 24, 2011, never returning to their pre-injury form. Peterson took his injury in stride, proving critics wrong and coming in under 10 yards away from claiming the single-season rushing record. His awe-inspring performance earned him a few accolades including MVP and other offensive honors.

In what was essentially a two-person race between Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson for most valuable player in the NFL, Peterson claimed the honor on a near-record breaking season that included him breaking a number of personal and team records. He joined elite company as one of only a couple men to have ever rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season.

Peterson offered the following after winning the MVP award:

It’s truly an honor to be recognized as the league’s most valuable player. While the award is considered an individual achievement, I couldn’t have had the success that I did without my teammates, my coaches and the Vikings organization. I’m blessed to be a member of the Vikings, and I hope next year we can get the ultimate team award by bringing a Super Bowl championship to Minnesota.

Beside claiming MVP honors for the 2012 season, Peterson was also named the 2012 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and the FedEx Ground Player of the Year along with being given the Fantasy Player of the Year Award. The only other award Peterson was given serious consideration for was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He and Peyton Manning were both in the race for this award. Peterson's storied comeback from his knee injury in the previous season was overshadowed by Peyton's return after sitting out a season rehabbing a severe neck injury that required four different surgeries.

Peterson joins QB Fran Tarkenton (1975) and DT Alan Page (1971) as the only Vikings to win the Associated Press MVP award. He becomes the first running back to win MVP since LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), breaking a streak of five consecutive years with a quarterback winning the award. The Palestine, Texas, native becomes the 16th different running back to gain the honor.

Peterson’s 2012 NFL Records

• 2nd most rushing yards in a Season: 2,097 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 2012 1(st: 2,105 Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles, 1984)
• Most rushing yards in any Month, Season: 861 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, December 2012 (Old: 800 Chris Johnson, Tennessee, November 2009)
• Most rushing yards in 10 consecutive games: 1,598 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 10/21/12 - 12/30/12 (Old: 1,507 Earl Campbell, Houston, 10/12/80 - 12/14/80)
• Consecutive games with a 60+ yard run: 3 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 10/25/12 - 11/11/12 (Tied: 3 Michael Bennett, Minnesota, 11/3/02 - 11/17/02)
• Most 50+ yard runs, Season: 7 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 2012 (Tied: 7 Barry Sanders, Detroit, 1997)
• Most 150+ yard games rushing, Season: 7 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 2012 (Tied: 7 Earl Campbell, Houston, 1980)

Peterson’s 2012 Vikings Records

• Most rushing yards, Season: 2,097 Adrian Peterson, 2012 (Old: 1,760 Adrian Peterson, 2008)
• Most 100+ rushing yards in a Half, Season: 6 Adrian Peterson, 2012 (Old: 5 Adrian Peterson, 2008)
• Most 200 yard games rushing, Season: 2 Adrian Peterson, 2012 (Tied: 2 Adrian Peterson, 2007)
• Most 150 yard games rushing, Season: 7 Adrian Peterson, 2007-12 (Tied: 3 Adrian Peterson, 2008)
• Most 100 yard games rushing, Season: 10 Adrian Peterson, 2012 (Tied: 10 Adrian Peterson, 2008)
• Most rushing attempts, Career: 1,754 Adrian Peterson, 2007-12 (Old: 1,627 Bill Brown, 1962-74)
• Most rushing yards, Career: 8,849 Adrian Peterson, 2007-12 (Old: 6,818 Robert Smith, 1993-00)